Snuff out that scented candle! Get your face towel out of the toilet, too. Here’s six innocent things you do that could easily wreck your health.
1. WEARING HIGH HEELS
Besides increasing your risk of hip, back and tendon problems, says Dr Winnie Mui, a general practitioner at Dr Laura Bramley’s Clinic in Hong Kong, wearing high heels even for an hour can cause foot soreness, pain, calluses, bunions, ingrown toenails, a sprained ankle, blisters, and bleeding from the constant rubbing.
Do this: Choose a heel with a greater surface area (avoid stilettos), and stretch your calf muscles and Achilles tendon by pulling your toes towards your shin, or standing flat and leaning forward.
2. BURNING SCENTED CANDLES
“Scented candles can emit toxins like soot, benzene and lead,” says Dr Mui.
“Burning them, especially in an enclosed area, can increase your risk of cancer, and neurological and behavioural problems, and aggravate allergies and asthma.”
The fragrance may also contain acetone, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, linalool, and methylene chloride – when inhaled, these chemicals can cause nausea, central nervous system disorders, irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin and lungs, headaches, and respiratory failure. Dr Mui adds that burning incense sticks can have similar effects.
Do this: Organic soya-based candles scented with essential oils burn at a lower temperature and do not contain toxic paraffin wax like standard scented candles. Reed diffusers and electric essential oil burners are also safer.
3. KEEPING YOUR FACE TOWEL IN THE TOILET
Every time you flush the loo, germs rise into the air and land on towels, toothbrushes, etc. So when you wipe your face on your towel, they could be transferred onto your skin.
Do this: Dr Mui suggests putting down the toilet lid when you flush, and sterilising your toilet bowl and cleaning the bathroom regularly. Store face towels in a drawer and cover items in your bathroom – don’t leave jars of moisturiser open or cotton wads exposed.
4. DRINKING FROM A CHIPPED MUG
That chipped, cracked ceramic mug you love? It could harbour bacteria that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. Cracks in the glaze can also expose the bare ceramic, and if the ceramic contains lead and other chemicals, the toxins could leach into your drink. Even a crack in a plastic mug can emit trace amounts of toxins from the plastic.
Do this: Throw out damaged mugs.
5. SLEEPING ON TOO FIRM A MATTRESS
A very firm mattress can cause or worsen back pain, says Dr David Wong, a specialist in orthopaedic surgery at Raffles Orthopaedic Centre in Singapore. “Your spine has a natural curve. It is not supposed to be perfectly straight. A mattress that’s too firm doesn’t allow this and puts pressure on the heaviest parts of your body, like the upper back and the pelvis,” he explains.
Do this: Dr Wong says: “When you lie on your back, you should be able to slide your hand under your lower back fairly easily without a gap. If the mattress is too firm, there will be a gap between your hand, your back and the mattress.”
6. DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER
Drinking too much water can cause water intoxication (hyponatremia), says Dr Soh Wah Ngee, a general practitioner at One Doctors Family Clinic in Singapore. This condition is one where excess water upsets the delicate water-sodium balance in your blood.
Dr Soh says one to two litres a day is usually enough, although this depends on your weight, activity level and kidney health, and the climate. There’s water in soup, fruits and veggies, too, so don’t discount those. Nausea, confusion, headache, lethargy and restlessness are common signs of hyponatremia. Severe symptoms include seizures and decreased consciousness, which may result in coma or even death.
Do this: Don’t overdo fluid intake while exercising, advises Dr Soh. Consider electrolyte sports drinks rather than plain water, to replenish sodium lost through perspiration.
This is an excerpt of What’s ailing you?, a story that was originally published in SimplyHer November 2012.
