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Itchy Eyes: 5 Home Remedies To Ease That Burning Feeling

Itchy eyes typically start as nothing more than an urge to rub or wipe your eyes clean that gradually worsens until you see yourself with red, swollen, and itchy eyes in the mirror. If these issues persist all day long, no matter what you do, you may be dealing with severe allergies. Swollen red eyes could also mean an eye infection if you also experience light sensitivity, pain, and discharge on top of the itchiness. Below, we outline the home remedies you can try to get some much-needed relief for your allergy-affected eyes.

Five ways to find relief

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is a common allergic reaction that leads to a host of symptoms such as:

• Nasal congestion.
• Runny nose.
• Sneezing.
• Itchy ears, nose, throat and/or mouth.

Besides the above, allergies also come with the most agonising symptom affecting your vulnerable eyes. According to healthcare providers, itchiness develops among those with sensitive eyes simply due to exposure to the usual triggers like pollen, mould, grass, and so on.

The best way to stave off these health issues is by taking your allergy medication early, which is highly recommended since allergy cases are worse now than ever before. If you still experience mild allergic reactions, the following home remedies can help you find relief.

1. Use a cold compress

If you are looking for last-minute relief for your itchy eyes for a sound slumber, using a cold compress can help alleviate the issue. Simply place a cold and damp washcloth over your eyes to reduce blood flow and swelling in the affected area and get some much-needed relief before bed.

2. Take eye drops

Using over-the-counter eye drops is naturally a no-brainer whenever you have itchy eyes, but it is important to note that there are different kinds of eye drops available. For example, there are artificial tears made to help with dry eyes and eye drops that reduce redness by shrinking the eye’s blood vessels.

These will not help with your itchy and swollen eyes, so get allergy drops designed to block your body’s histamine response and resolve the itchiness, redness, and dryness in your eyes all at once. To experience the most relief, use allergy drops consistently at the start of your day.

3. Shower before bed

As much as possible, reduce your exposure to allergens to decrease the symptoms you experience. Since your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and eyelids collect pollen as you go about your day, they can leave allergens all over your bedding and other spaces in the home unless you take a shower first. As such, it is highly recommended to include bathing in your routine before heading to bed and better secure a good night’s sleep.

4. Replace your bedding more frequently

Allergens that cause itchy eyes build up over time in fabrics. Thus, besides showering, replacing your bedding more often and washing them in hot water every week to reduce your exposure to pollen, dust, pet dander, and mould is also advisable. Also, change your clothes immediately when you get home after being outside and wash them more frequently to achieve the same preventative effect.

4. Close the windows and invest in an air purifier

Allowing outside air into your home brings a great risk of letting in allergens like tree pollen and airborne grass into your home, which could make it impossible for you to find relief. As such, keep them closed at all times during allergy season or when there are sudden shifts in the weather. For additional protection, consider investing in an air purifier for each of your most frequented spaces for superior allergen control of your indoor air.

Conclusion

Dealing with itchy eyes that never seem to go away is among the worst symptoms of an allergic reaction. Apart from the tips above, it should go without saying to avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible. This is to prevent transferring pollen that may be on your hands and clothes and other bacteria onto your eyes and causing an infection.

If home remedies are not enough to fix your swollen and itchy eyes, get help from a certified doctor today via the MYCLNQ app. As the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore, MYCLNQ allows you to access key medical services in just a few clicks, including private ambulance transport, online medical consultation, and more. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

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How To Treat A Swollen Leg And The Possible Causes Behind It

Since swelling in the legs is hardly an everyday occurrence, it can be alarming to see your lower limbs puffed up and notice that cankles or calf ankles are now where your ankles used to be. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut way of getting to the bottom of this health issue since over a hundred different things can cause it, ranging from mild to severe. So, how do you determine if your swollen legs warrant a trip to the hospice or at least an online medical consultation? Below is a rundown of the signs and leading causes of leg swelling and what you can do about them.

Signs of swollen legs

Difficulty putting on or taking off your shoes and bending at the ankles are the first signs that your legs may be swelling. You can verify this by gently pressing on your lower leg and seeing if your fingerprint indent lasts for more than a few seconds. If so, chances are that there is an excess buildup of fluids in your legs.

Other telltale signs of leg swelling may include:

• Itchy, numb, and heavy feeling on your legs or feet.
• The skin on the legs looks stretched, shiny, or puffy.
• The skin on the legs feels painful or tight.
• Indents on the skin when removing socks or pant legs.

Common reasons for swollen legs

1. Oedema

It is not uncommon for your legs or feet to puff up if you spend most of your day walking about or even if you stay seated in a plane or care for hours and hours. The swelling that occurs, in this case, is called oedema, and it is when fluid builds up in the legs and feet. While this issue is more common among overweight individuals and pregnant women, it can affect anyone.

Limiting salt in your diet is a good starting point to prevent oedema. When you are forced to stay put for several hours, such as when travelling, get up frequently or at least stretch and move your legs around. If you notice mild swelling, go for a walk to de-puff your legs. Doing ankle rolls and elevating your feet while lying down also helps.

2. Lymphedema

Lymphedema happens when the body’s lymph nodes no longer filter lymph fluid as effectively as they should, causing one or both of your limbs to swell up mildly or drastically. This issue often occurs among those who have undergone cancer treatment and had their lymph nodes removed in the process. That said, it can also affect people whose lymph nodes are not working properly for various reasons.

The best ways to treat or manage lymphedema include:

• Regular exercise.
• Lymphatic drainage self-massage.
• Using compression devices.
• Getting certain surgical treatments/

3. Heart, liver, or kidney diseases

Fluids can build up in your legs when your heart, liver, or kidney are not functioning as well as they should. Congestive heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease can all cause your legs to swell up. If you are certain or suspect that you have any of the following conditions and notice persistent or new swelling in your legs, seek a healthcare provider as soon as possible on how to best manage your conditions.

4. Venous insufficiency

Sometimes, the veins in your legs go weak, causing blood to have a more difficult time flowing back to the heart. This results in fluid buildup in the legs and the development of varicose veins. In addition, there are cases when venous insufficiency arises in those who have had deep vein thrombosis in the past.

Your physician may recommend the following if you are living with venous insufficiency:

• Medication
• Compression devices or socks or intermittent pneumatic compression devices.
• Lifestyle changes like weight loss and more frequent exercise.
• Surgical treatment.

5. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

DVT affects a vein in the body (usually in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis) and causes a blood clot to form within it. The typical symptoms of this health problem include:

• Swelling in one leg, which is often accompanied by the skin reddening or feeling warm to the touch.
• Tenderness or pain in the leg.
• Enlarged veins near the skin surface.

By itself, DVT is not a life-threatening problem. But if a clot somehow breaks free, it could travel to one of the arteries in the lungs and block blood flow to a part of it, leading to pulmonary embolism, an incredibly serious health complication.

If you experience the symptoms of DVT, it is vital to consult a virtual doctor in Singapore right away to get started on treatment and reduce your risk of pulmonary embolism.

Conclusion

Many conditions can cause your legs to puff up, from simple injuries and infections to chronic conditions like arthritis. If the swelling is mild and goes away on its own within a day or so, it is generally nothing to lose sleep over. Otherwise, it is best to get checked out by a doctor immediately to determine the underlying problem.

Get quick access to certified medical professionals best suited to answer your health inquiries via the MYCLNQ app. From video consultations to supervised COVID-19 tests at your home, MYCLNQ offers comprehensive family healthcare straight from your mobile devices. For more information, feel free to contact us today!

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Digestive Discomfort: How To Differentiate IBS And IBD

Stomach pain in the form of painful cramps, bloating, and so on is something that virtually everyone has experienced before. However, if these symptoms occur regularly, there is a good chance that you have a chronic condition. The two most common causes of digestive discomfort are irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

Despite having somewhat similar names, these conditions are not one and the same. To get an accurate diagnosis during an online medical consultation, you must first have a good grasp of all your symptoms to help your healthcare provider better figure out what is going on in your gut and how to fix it.

Differentiating between IBS and IBD

Inflammation is what occurs when the body’s immune system defends against foreign invaders, and it is what separates the two conditions mentioned, with IBD being the only one involving inflammation.

An inflammatory bowel disease is a group of autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Thus, having IBD means your immune system is mistakenly attacking your body and causing chronic inflammation. And while your intestines are the primary victim of this disease, the inflammation can also attack other areas of the body like the joints, skin, and eyes since it is a systemic inflammatory condition.

In contrast, IBS does not involve inflammation and is not a disease but rather a group of symptoms. IBS stems from the two-way chemical and physical connection between the gut and brain. A dysfunction in this gut-brain axis affects the digestive tract and how fast it moves food through the intestines. Fortunately, it does not cause physical symptoms anywhere else in the body. While IBS is far from being a non-issue, it is better in the sense that it does not threaten your overall health, unlike IBD.

Symptoms of IBS and IBD

Since IBS and IBD are digestive conditions, some of their symptoms will overlap, making it harder to identify which one you are dealing with. The symptoms common to both conditions are:

• Urgent bowel movements
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Gassiness and bloating
• Cramping and abdominal pain

Symptoms specific to IBS include:

• Frequent bowel movement changes (i.e. being constipated one day and having diarrhoea the next).
• Symptoms triggered by large meals or stress.

On the other hand, IBD-specific symptoms involve:

• Bleeding from the rectum or bloody stools
• Anaemia or insufficient healthy red blood cells in the body
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Joint pain
• Eye inflammation

Can you have both issues at the same time?

The quick answer to this question is yes, you can experience IBS and IBD simultaneously. This is because while IBD does not directly cause IBS, healthcare providers believe that having it increases your risk of getting IBS. On the other hand, there is no evidence of IBS increasing your risk of IBD. But with that said, experts have yet to fully determine the causes of these health issues.

Treating and managing symptoms

Unfortunately, IBS and IBD are not curable and can only be treated through different approaches. For IBS, treatment entails avoiding triggers and simply tending to its symptoms, while IBD requires controlling the inflammation and treating the damage it causes.

How to manage IBS symptoms

Your specific symptoms will determine the best ways to manage IBS, with the common treatments being:

1. Adopt dietary and lifestyle changes

Your doctor may recommend switching to a low FODMAP diet that excludes food groups known to trigger IBS. In addition, they may have you prioritise good sleep habits and more regular exercise, as some people report these changes help them find relief from IBS.

2. Medication

There is no one medicine that targets all symptoms of IBS. Antibiotics can alleviate severe diarrhoea caused by IBS, while antispasmodic medications can help with intestinal spasms.

3. Antidepressants and psychological therapy

Maintaining your mental health and reducing stress is known to reduce flare-ups of IBS symptoms.

How to treat IBD

Managing the body’s inflammatory response is the main goal of IBD treatment, along with repairing the damage it causes. Medication is the way to achieve this, but surgery may be necessary to address complications caused by the inflammation and to remove damaged tissues. Some of the medicines used to treat IBD are:

• Anti-inflammatories: Reduces inflammation in the intestines.
• Immunomodulators: Prevents ongoing inflammation by the immune system.
• Corticosteroids: Best for short-term prevention of flare-ups and management of the inflammatory process.

Conclusion

Abdominal pain is already a handful to deal with, and it becomes even more daunting once it turns out to be a chronic condition. IBS and IBD are the two foremost causes of constant gastrointestinal issues and will require a proper diagnosis and treatment to find relief.

If you have been experiencing chronic gastrointestinal symptoms lately, don’t hesitate to get a virtual consultation with a doctor today using the MYCLNQ app. MYCLNQ is the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore that lets you access key medical services at the palm of your hand, from doctor consultations over video to supervised COVID-19 home testing. Contact us today to learn more about the medical services you can access on your phone!

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An Overview Of Allergic Asthma And Signs You May Have It

Allergies alone can make anyone miserable with its host of symptoms like constant sneezing and itchy eyes. However, there are times when triggers can do more than just flare up your allergies but also wreak more havoc on your health in the form of asthma. Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma, and it occurs when you develop wheezing, sneezing, and shortness of breath all at once. Read on to learn more about this condition and how to best manage its combined symptoms.

Allergic asthma defined

Simply put, allergic asthma is when allergies and asthma combine into one health issue, causing your airways to tighten up whenever you breathe in allergens. One thing in common among all the various allergens that can trigger allergic asthma is that they are found in the environment and never in food or medications. These include things like:

• Pollen
• Mould
• Pet dander
• Dust
• Dust mites
• Cockroaches

If mould or pollen are your triggers, allergic asthma could develop only seasonally. However, if dust, dust mites, or pet dander are the culprit, you may experience symptoms all year round.

Symptoms of allergic asthma

As a refresher, hay fever or allergic rhinitis affects the nose and sinuses, with the main symptoms being:

• Nose congestion
• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes

In contrast, asthma affects the lungs and thus causes the following symptoms:

• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath

Having allergic asthma means developing all of the symptoms above simultaneously.

Treating and managing allergic asthma

Allergy testing is the best way to identify the cause behind your allergy flare-ups, while additional testing can verify a diagnosis of asthma. Once it is confirmed that you have allergic asthma, knowing and avoiding your triggers is vital to keep your symptoms under control.

Consider the following protective measures to reduce your allergen exposure in and out of your home.

1. Use an air purifier fitted with HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air filters to clean your indoor air of airborne triggers.

2. Minimise or eliminate pet exposure as much as possible.

3. Put special dust mite covers on your bedding and aim for a 35% indoor humidity level to reduce your dust mite exposure.

4. Remove food sources for cockroaches and regularly clean the surfaces and flooring of your kitchen and dining area.

5. Change your clothes and shower right after coming home to prevent pollen from spreading into your home.

When dealing with mould, it can also develop indoors despite being more of an outdoor allergen due to unwanted sources of moisture. Common areas where moisture can develop include places where there is plumbing and leaks in the roof. If there are sources of water intrusion present, address the leak first and then use either a commercial cleaning product or a diluted bleach solution to clean out the mould.

Conclusion

Having allergies and asthma at the same time certainly sounds like a rough time. Still, thankfully, modern allergic asthma treatments are very effective, easy to use, and have minimal side effects. With the right medication, allergic asthma will not put you out of commission, so you can continue with your daily life.

If you need help curing your allergic asthma, consult a virtual doctor in Singapore today via the MYCLNQ app. We provide comprehensive family healthcare with services such as online medical consultation, private ambulance transport, and medical e-commerce straight from your mobile devices. For more details, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

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Understanding Low Heart Rate And When To Be Concerned

It is known that our bodies tend to slow down as we age, but what if the same happens to our hearts? Low or slow heart rate, also known as bradycardia, is a phenomenon that is more likely to occur in older adults caused by the occasional and normal wear and tear on the heart’s electrical system that slows down its normal rhythm.

Low heart rate happens when your heart is only at a maximum of 60 bpm (beats per minute) and below, even when you are awake and active. In contrast, the normal range for when you are fully conscious is 60 to 100 bpm. There is a chance you have a slower heart rate yet experience no symptoms, and there is typically nothing to worry about if that is the case. However, if you feel something off yet ignore it, it can often lead to bigger problems. These symptoms include:

• Low stamina and feelings of lethargy
• Heart palpitations or flutters
• Memory problems and confusion
• Chest pains
• Dizziness
• Weakness

If you experience these symptoms and have an associated low heart rate, visit the nearest healthcare provider immediately.

Whether you have symptoms or not, knowing the signs of trouble when you have a low heart rate is recommended since bradycardia requires treatment in some cases. For instance, if your heart drops to 30 bpm or lower, you are not getting enough oxygen in your brain, potentially causing shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fainting. Blood could also pool in the chambers of your heart and cause congestive heart failure.

Does age or activity affect low heart rate ranges?

For younger people, athletes, and people who regularly exercise, experiencing a low heart rate below 60 bpm while working is healthy and completely normal. Being physically active allows your heart to pump blood more efficiently. The same applies when you sleep at night as it is natural to have a slower heart rate of 40 to 60 bpm since your body is not doing much to require an elevated heart rate.

Causes of low heart rate

A lot of factors can bring down your heart rate than usual, and these include:

1. Certain illnesses or health conditions

Some health conditions can bring about bradycardia, namely:

• Low thyroid function
• Electrolyte imbalance in the body
• Heart muscle inflammation
• Bacterial blood infection that attacks the heart
• Heart attacks caused by coronary artery disease
• Antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, and other certain medications
• Diabetes, chronic hypertension, or congenital heart defects

2. Age

Getting older is the most common risk factor for a low heart rate, with the condition typically developing among people over 65 years old.

3. Heart malfunctions

Another common cause of bradycardia is when there is a malfunction in your sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. This part controls the speed at which the top and bottom heart chambers circulate blood throughout the body.

4. AV block

Bradycardia can also stem from an atrioventricular block (AV block) wherein the upper and lower heart chambers do not communicate well, causing the heart rate to drop.

When to consult your doctor about low heart rate

If you have concerns about your low heart rate, check with your physician to better determine its root cause. They will first review your daily activities, followed by a physical exam. In some cases, they may measure your heart’s electrical signals with an electrocardiogram (EKG) to accurately verify if they are firing correctly. Should your healthcare provider deem it necessary, they may require you to wear a 24-hour monitor to better view your heart’s performance over time.

Upon deciding whether your case requires treatment, they will try to rule out pre-existing conditions or medications as possible causes. Changing your prescribed medicine or similar strategies is often all it takes to solve the issue. Otherwise, undergoing minimally invasive surgery to implant a pacemaker will be necessary to quicken your heart rate.

Conclusion

In most cases, bradycardia does not call for an emergency, which gives doctors time to choose the right treatment course should it be necessary. They can then evaluate each patient’s situation and exclude if any other condition is causing it. If you are ever concerned about your low heart rate, get an online medical consultation with a certified doctor in just a few clicks with the MYCLNQ app. Contact us today to learn more about the medical services you can access on your phone!

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More Than Dust In Your Eye: 4 Possible Causes For Red Eyes

Although getting a red eye is something everyone has experienced at least once in their life, seeing ourselves with reddish eyes in the mirror all of a sudden can still take us by surprise. For the most part, this unusual reaction is harmless, generally caused by dust or allergens, and is nothing to worry about.

However, there are certain cases when inflamed eyes signal something worse and require a visit to the eye doctor. How do you know whether your red eyes are a cause for concern or not? Read on to learn the serious conditions that could cause your eyes to turn red and what you can do about them.

Common causes of red eyes

According to research, 2-3% of people go to their primary physician or visit the emergency room because of eye problems, with the majority having red eyes. The most common conditions that cause eye irritation are:

1. Allergies and dry eye 

Lack of tears causes that gritty, itchy, or burning feeling in the eyes. If you’re unfamiliar with how the eye works, it has three layers of tears that serve as a protective film covering. Thus, insufficient tears may turn your eyes red and uncomfortable, particularly if they are exposed to irritants or allergens. Besides allergens, many other factors contribute to dry eye: medications, computer screen use, weather, etc. Getting red eyes also becomes more common as we age.

Thankfully, off-the-shelf lubricating drops or “artificial tears” will suffice to clear your eyes and provide them with lubrication. Allergy drops can also help reduce symptoms if the cause is allergen-based. When getting these eye drops, choose those specifically marketed to reduce redness.

2. Infections

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies, or waterborne parasites can all cause an eye infection in your eyes, and rubbing your eyes with your hands is the easiest way to transfer the infection from one eye to the other. Pain, blurry vision, and light sensitivity are often signs that an infection is more serious and causes erosion to the eye’s surface if left untreated, resulting in permanent damage.

Treatment

It is recommended you go to your eye doctor within a few days upon noticing the signs of an eye infection. If you wear contact lenses and suspect an eye infection, visit your doctor immediately.

3. Broken blood vessels

Subconjunctival haemorrhage or broken blood vessels on the eye’s surface sounds alarming, but they are generally nothing to worry about. The broken vessels are rarely painful and do not impair vision. Several reasons could cause the blood vessels to break, such as a head or eye injury, straining when coughing or sneezing, aggressively rubbing your eye and certain medications like blood thinners.

Broken blood vessels will sort themselves out and improve in a week or two, but you can always use artificial tears to relieve irritation. However, if you ever feel pain, going to an eye doctor as soon as possible is advised.

4. Uveitis

Uveitis is a condition wherein there is inflammation in the eye, and red eyes are among its visible symptoms. Other signs include pain in the eye, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and dark “floaters” in one’s field of vision. Smoking is one of the main risk factors for developing uveitis, but inflammatory diseases, eye injuries, or infections (like chicken pox or herpes) can also cause this eye condition.

It is critical to get tested by an eye doctor as soon as possible if you notice the symptoms of uveitis. Immediate treatment helps mitigate the potential tissue damage and restore lost vision.

Conclusion

The main symptoms connected to red eyes, namely pain in the eyes, increased light sensitivity, and blurry vision, are the stand-out potential signs of a more significant problem requiring prompt medical attention. As such, contact an eye doctor if you experience redness, unusual dryness, or other symptoms that persist for more than a day. With the MYCLNQ app, getting an online medical consultation with a certified ophthalmologist becomes as easy as pressing a few buttons on your phone, making the importance of telemedicine more obvious than ever. Contact us today to learn more about the other medical services available on the app!

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How To Tell If You Have Sore Throat or Strep Throat

A sore throat can stem from all sorts of causes: viruses, bacteria, allergies, dry air, and even drainage from a runny nose. And while it may not seem like it, not all sore throats are equal. A runny nose or allergies are undoubtedly painful and annoying to deal with, but thankfully they go away on their own. While the same applies to strep throat, it is a more serious condition that requires a doctor’s diagnosis and proper treatment to prevent it from worsening.

If you suspect you have strep throat, visiting the doctor is necessary for two reasons. First, the issue could worsen since the bacteria that causes strep throat can also spread to other people and other tissues in your body, bringing about a worse infection. Second, strep throat that is left untreated can result in more severe illnesses like rheumatic fever (a potentially lethal disease that can harm the heart valves) in rare circumstances. But how can you tell if you are dealing with regular sore or strep throat? Read on to learn more about how to tell which is which.

Symptoms between sore throat vs strep throat

The flu and common cold are viral infections that can cause sore throat along with other symptoms such as:

• Cough
• Sneezing
• Watery or red eyes
• Runny nose

The primary symptom that sets sore throat apart from strep throat is coughing. Thus, you will not have a cough if you have strep throat. Moreover, strep throat shows visible pus or exudate at the back of your throat, so you can also check that by looking into your mouth using a mirror.

The common cold generally takes a few days to develop and goes away on its own in five days or a week, but that is not the case with strep throat, which is a bacterial infection.

If you were recently exposed to someone with strep throat, it is vital to share that information when seeing a doctor. This is because strep spreads easily through sharing personal items with those infected, coming into close contact with them, or even in the air by coughing or sneezing. Strep throat also comes with more severe symptoms than the common cold, including:

• Sudden sore throat
• Fever
• Pain when swallowing
• Headaches
• Abdominal pains
• Red tonsils with white spots on top
• Swollen neck glands

Since viral illnesses can share these same symptoms, it is essential to get a throat swab to verify if there are strep bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes) in your throat if you ever experience any of the above symptoms.

Tips for relieving strep throat

After making a confirmed diagnosis of strep, your doctor will generally prescribe antibiotic treatment for your strep throat. However, do note that taking antibiotics for sore throat without a prior diagnosis confirming you have strep can cause unwanted resistance to the medication or lead to unnecessary side effects.

And while most cases of strep throat will self-resolve, there is the risk of it developing into a rheumatic fever if left unchecked, reinforcing the importance of testing. Antibiotic treatments for strep usually take ten days, but those for sore throat are less defined since there is no one set cure for the virus that causes it. As such, you’ll have to wait until the virus works its way out of your body and take the necessary steps to manage your symptoms. Natural remedies for sore throat include:

• Gargling warm salt water
• Sucking on ice chips
• Drinking plenty of warm liquids and plain water
• Taking over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen for relief
• Getting plenty of rest

Conclusion

If you are unsure about the common illnesses ailing you, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor to make sure. While plenty of home remedies help relieve your symptoms, talking to a healthcare provider is the best way to know what’s happening to your body and the available treatments to fix it. With MYCLNQ, the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore, you can get quick access to the certified medical professional that is best suited to address your concerns and provide you with the prescription you need. Contact us today to learn more details!

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Appendix Pain And Why It Is A Serious Cause For Concern

As a refresher, the appendix is a small, tube-like bodily organ that protrudes from the colon and is something we can easily live without. And yet, to this day, it remains a medical mystery as to why it can make us incredibly sick despite serving no known purpose. That said, some healthcare experts suspect that the appendix helps prevent certain infections but is not immune to all of them. When this happens, and the appendix bursts, immediate medical attention is needed.

Causes of appendix pain

Three main causes could lead to pain in the appendix. They are listed here in order starting from most to least common:

• Appendicitis
• An abscess near or on the appendix
• A tumour inside or outside the appendix

Appendicitis, or irritation or infection of the appendix, is the most common cause of pain in the appendix. Everyone has a low risk of developing appendicitis during their lifetime (roughly around 8%), and it is most common in children between 10 to 19 years old and adults who are 18 to 25 years old. Moreover, appendicitis is the most common reason for emergency surgery among kids.

Appendicitis is not hereditary and cannot be passed on to others. Furthermore, there are no means to prevent or reduce your risk of getting it.

Infection of the appendix typically results when there is a blockage in the organ, and these can be caused by a wide range of issues, including:

• Bacteria and viruses
• Parasites
• Inflammation
• Ulcers
• Abdominal tearing
• Enlarged tissues
• Hardened faecal matter.

The blockage can lead to a ruptured appendix if these issues are left untreated. The rupture spreads the infection throughout the abdomen and the surrounding organs with deadly consequences.

What does appendix pain feel like?

Appendicitis generally feels like a stomach ache at first. It gradually moves down to the lower right quadrant of the torso between the hip bone and rib cage, where it feels like a tender, dull, and aching pain. It is also essential to be aware of your pain level, especially if it is something you have never experienced before. If you notice a worsening or new pain in the next several hours, it is advised to call your primary healthcare provider and go to the emergency room immediately.

Symptoms of appendicitis typically show up within the first 24 hours. If you experience any of the following, along with the pain mentioned above, consult a doctor as soon as possible:

• Urinary symptoms like difficulty or pain when urinating
• Upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, and so on
• Chills, fever, or lethargy
• Abdominal symptoms such as distention or swelling, severe pain or cramping in other parts of the abdomen

It is important to note that appendicitis shares similar symptoms with other abdominal issues, so getting a medical consultation is critical to pinpoint if it is what you are experiencing.

When to see a doctor 

Because appendicitis can have lethal consequences if left untreated, it is critical to go to the emergency room if the pain in your lower right side of the abdomen persists for more than six hours. Make sure also to contact your physician and inform them of any additional symptoms you may have to help better narrow down the cause of the pain.

Tests and treatment

Identifying appendicitis involves a series of tests, like taking a blood sample to check if an increase in white blood cell count points to an infection. An abdominal or pelvic X-ray or ultrasound CT scan may also be required to diagnose appendicitis in children.

Treating appendicitis is mainly done in two ways: antibiotics and surgery. Antibiotics are ideal for less severe cases, but an appendectomy or surgery to remove the appendix is generally necessary for most appendicitis cases. But if the appendix has not burst yet, your healthcare provider may opt for a laparoscopy or remove the appendix via a small cut in the belly button.

This procedure works for all ages with two to four weeks of recovery. Meanwhile, removing a ruptured appendix takes longer to heal as the surgeon will also have to remove all traces of infection that has spread throughout your abdomen.

Conclusion

If you ever notice potential signs of appendicitis, don’t hesitate to seek medical care as quickly as possible. The sooner appendicitis is detected and addressed with the proper treatment, the better the results and the quicker you recover. For appendix pain and everything else causing you concern, contact a certified doctor via the MYCLNQ app for quick answers in the comfort of your home. Apart from medical consultations, the app also provides key medical services such as private ambulance services and virtual ART tests in Singapore. Contact us today to learn more details!

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Get To The Bottom Of Why You Always Wake Up With A Headache

Waking up to an aching head is usually attributed to the common hangover or teeth grinding during sleep. However, if it becomes a consistent phenomenon and is ruining the start of your mornings, it may be due to something more complex like a sleep disorder. Sleep medicine physicians say these problems are typically part of the puzzle to chronic headache woes.

But before diving deeper into the possible causes, it is helpful first to identify the type of discomfort or pain you feel in the mornings. Since the head is one of the many complicated parts of the body, these pains may bring about different sensations that stem from various issues. Thus, the types of headaches you may wake up to include:

• Cluster headaches

These headaches entail severe pain on the side of the head, which comes and goes, and often intensifies every time it returns.

• Migraines

Migraines are associated with intense pain and throbbing in a particular location of the head, accompanied by dizziness and nausea.

• Tension-type headaches

Those who experience this type of headache describe it as if their head is being squeezed tight, as it puts more consistent pressure across the entire head, not just in a specific spot. The pain caused typically ranges from mild to intense.

• Hypnic headaches

These rare headaches can strike once or more every night when you are in deep slumber and last until you awaken.

Potential Causes For Morning Headaches

After identifying the type of headaches you get in the morning, the next step is to determine if there is a rhyme or reason to them. Some of the potential causes for it include the following conditions.

1. Insomnia and sleep problems

Headaches and sleep problems are connected in many ways. For one, sleep deprivation increases the risk of developing tension headaches during the day, making it harder to sleep and causing a vicious cycle. A lack of shuteye may also exacerbate other types of headaches. Even if you feel well rested, sleep is not a guaranteed escape from chronic headaches like migraines, as they can also strike during sleep.

2. Oversleeping

On the other extreme, getting too much sleep can also be problematic and cause you headaches. Sometimes, our bodies are not agreeable to us sleeping longer than usual, making us groggy, disrupting our circadian rhythm, and contributing to our headaches. Most of the time, this occurs when your sleep quality is poor despite getting many hours of sleep.

3. Exploding head syndrome

This sleep disorder causes people to hear an imaginary exploding sound, a loud crash, or something similar during the hazy moments between waking and sleeping.

4. Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing on and off for short periods while sleeping, with snoring being its most commonly associated symptom. Headaches caused by sleep apnea are surprisingly common, with people who have them describing it as a pressing pain on both sides of their head and unlike migraines, which are more of a pulsing pain accompanied by other symptoms.

Treating Morning Headaches

Whether your doctor recommends you undergo sleep treatment, you can adopt many lifestyle choices to ensure your mornings no longer start with a terrible headache.

1. Follow a healthy sleep schedule

Although it will take time to adjust to a healthier sleeping schedule, make an effort to go to sleep and wake up at certain times to help relieve chronic headaches.

2. Avoid alcohol

If you take to the drink often and your headache diary points to spirits being the trigger of your constant headaches, tone down your drinking in the evenings. For help with regulating your alcohol consumption, getting a medical consultation with a doctor for the proper resources is best.

3. Stay hydrated and eat a good diet

Ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day and drink plenty of water first thing in the morning. Having a well-balanced and nutritious diet can also help in preventing headaches.

4. Stay on top of your headaches or migraines

Note down everything you can about your morning head pain, such as when they occur and subside and any possible patterns you may observe. This can be as simple as keeping a note on your phone or in a bedside journal.

Conclusion

For relief, it is still a good idea to see a virtual doctor in Singapore, even if you think no underlying conditions are causing your headaches, just to get relief. Healthcare providers can prescribe the recommended treatment options and rule out strained muscles, your diet, medication, or any other triggers for your headache. Otherwise, if they find that your headaches are associated with bruxism, sleep apnea, insomnia, or something else, further treatment will be necessary to address the root cause.

To consult a professional doctor for your chronic headaches, download the MYCLNQ app today and book an online consultation in just a few clicks. Contact us today to learn more details!

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Food Poisoning: The Remedies To Use And When It Will Pass

While getting food poisoning may seem more unlikely nowadays, given the higher standards around cooking and food safety, there is still a chance that you may get blindsided by that seemingly fine dish that now has you hurling in the bathroom. Food poisoning is among the most miserable experiences anyone can have, and while it is a common experience, not everyone knows how to deal with it. This health condition typically sets in within a few hours of consuming the contaminated food, with the severity and duration of its symptoms depending on several factors, namely the type of germs in the food, how much of them you were exposed to, and the effectiveness of your immune system at fighting it off.

Food Poisoning Timeline

Common food poisoning cases generally occur between four to 24 hours after ingestion. Still, it is not always that quick since certain foodborne illnesses reproduce in your system before symptoms show. One example is the Hepatitis A virus, which can take 15-50 days before it reveals itself.

There is no straight answer to how long you can expect food poisoning to last since it depends on the person. Everyone responds differently to bacteria, viruses, and parasites, so even when a family eats the same contaminated food, how long before everyone gets better will vary.

That said, physicians note that healthy people usually have to wait 12-48 hours for their bodies to eliminate most foodborne infections and take care of food poisoning by themselves. However, medications may be necessary for other foodborne illnesses; getting an online medical consultation is the best way to know if this is the case for you.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

The symptoms of food poisoning can be dangerous and dramatic once they take over completely and only go away when the germs causing them are completely expelled from the body. The most common ones include the following:

• Headaches
• Fever
• Stomach pain and cramping
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea and vomiting

While experiencing these is unpleasant, it is a sign that your body is working to get you back to health by purging the offending toxins.

Steps to Relieve The Symptoms

Food poisoning is a miserable experience, but healthy people rarely need medical intervention to cure it. All they have to focus on is keeping their food and liquids down and letting the illness run its course.

1. Stay hydrated

Preventing dehydration is your top priority when you have food poisoning since you will be losing a lot of liquids from diarrhoea and vomiting. Besides water, it is recommended to drink non-isotonic fluids that contain sugar, salt, or electrolytes, such as juice, broth, ginger ale, and Gatorade. These drinks stay in the body and are less likely to go straight to the kidneys, where they will get purged right out through urinating.

Avoid drinking these beverages in one go and start with small sips to be sure they stay down and not go back up. Drink them at room temperature since cold beverages do not agree with an upset stomach. If you have a medical condition that keeps you from consuming too much sodium, such as liver, heart, or kidney disease, consult a doctor for advice.

2. Eat whenever possible

Foods that are easy on the stomach are the best options for people going through food poisoning, which include oatmeal, noodle soup, crackers, potatoes, rice pudding, and so on. The BRAT diet, which emphasises Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast, are bland foods that can help settle your stomach. Avoid spicy, fried, or greasy foodstuffs, as they will be more challenging for your digestive system. Take things slowly, and do not force down anything if you do not feel like eating.

When to Call the Doctor

It is essential to call for medical assistance if your symptoms are so severe that you cannot keep any fluids down. Healthcare providers in the hospital can administer IV fluids to ensure you stay hydrated and regain lost electrolytes. You should also see a physician if you:

• Take medications that inhibit your immune system
• Have certain illnesses that inhibit your immune system
• Notice blood in your vomit or diarrhoea
• Have blurry vision
• Feel lightheaded or dizzy
• Experience confusion or delirium
• Develop a high and persistent fever
• Are not urinating or have dark urine
• Are pregnant

Conclusion

Getting food poisoning will always be a bad time, but thankfully it subsides as quickly as it shows up. Healthy people simply have to stay dehydrated and energised until their body takes care of the illness in no time. However, suppose the symptoms persist longer than usual. In that case, it is time to call on a medical professional through the MYCLNQ app, which connects you to a certified doctor hassle-free wherever you may be. Contact us today to learn more details!