Your Embarrassing Health Questions…Answered!
Words by Katherine Castillo Eustaquio
Published in Total Fitness Magazine
In terms of health and hygiene, there are many things we are afraid to ask (much less discuss) our family, friends, and, sometimes, even the people whose job is to help us address them. Some people choose to ignore these questions, some choose to set them aside for later, and some choose outright denial. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean they would go away. So here are the answers to the top embarrassing health questions most people are afraid to ask.
My feet stink! Do other people really notice it? How do I get rid of it?
Yes, people notice but unless they’re quite vocal, they wouldn’t tell you. Like the palm of your hands, your feet have sweat glands too that can attract odor-causing bacteria to hang around and multiply. Wash with an antibacterial soap and keep your feet clean and dry. Wear socks and shoes made of breathable materials like canvas and leather and make sure to air them out after wearing them. You can also try this home remedy: Soak your feet in a mixture of one part vinegar, one part water daily for a whole week.
I brush religiously and still, my breath smells bad. What do I do?
A case of ‘holy halitosis’ can surely humiliate anyone right on the spot. Religious brushing isn’t enough to ensure fresh breath that lasts the whole day. There are many causes of bad breath—like gum disease, sinus infection, dry mouth, acid reflux—that not even a pack of mints can solve. Aside from flossing, use toothpaste that has zinc compounds and makes sure to clean your tongue with a tongue scraper. Mints, gums, and mouthwash only offer short term relief. The only way to get rid of halitosis is to get rid of the bacteria that cause the odor.
I pee a little when I exercise or laugh hysterically or cough. Is it normal?
Yes. This normal occurrence is called stress urinary incontinence and it is common among adults, particularly women. The pelvic floor muscles are overwhelmed by sudden pressures in your bladder and, as a result, you pee a little. The best way to treat this normal problem is to do Kegel exercises. It’s easy, fast, and you can do it anywhere, anytime without people noticing it. In the meantime, you can use a tampon to address those little dribbles.
I always feel itchy down there. I thought it was a yeast infection but the antifungal cream didn’t help. What do I do?
When your nether region starts to itch, the first thing that comes to mind is a yeast infection and the need to use an antifungal cream. Using an ordinary soap can actually lead to worse itching sensation as it clears away the fungi and acid-loving bacteria that keeps a woman’s private area healthy by keeping away harmful microbes. This could lead to a bad odor, burning sensation, and pain during intercourse. Instead of soap, use a pH-neutral wash to rinse your privates.
I sweat so much that I get sweat marks all the time. I’m too scared to wear light colored shirts.
First of all, check what you’re applying to your armpits. Is it an antiperspirant or a deodorant? Yes, they’re not the same. To address the excess sweat, use an antiperspirant that blocks the pores to reduce sweating in the area. If that doesn’t solve the issue, ask your doctor for an antiperspirant prescription or—seriously—consider a Botox treatment in those areas. This non-invasive procedure can block the nerves in the area that stimulate the sweat glands. It could be quite unconventional and uncomfortable at first but don’t worry, it’s legal.
I keep forgetting things! Appointments, words, and even the names of people I’ve met just recently. Is this Alzheimer’s?
Forgetfulness is caused by a series of factors—aging, stress, medications, and multitasking. Everyone experiences it, especially that phenomenon when the word you’re trying to remember is at the tip of your tongue but you can’t say it out loud. However, one early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is forgetting new facts you’ve just learned, faces, and dates and having to ask them again and again without zeroing in on it. For instance, it’s normal to forget where you left your keys but finding them in the freezer isn’t. If you’ve noticed that you’re having difficulty in normal activities like following a cake recipe or forgetting a close friend’s name, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Are skin tags dangerous?
A skin tag is a tiny ball of tissue that commonly appears on surfaces of the body where skin rubs against the skin like the neck, armpits, and the upper chest. They’re also called cutaneous papilloma, cutaneous tag, and acrochordon. They are invariably noncancerous skin tumors that do not show any symptoms unless they are habitually scratched or rubbed by clothing, jewelry or accidentally hit during shaving. They are often very small and unnoticeable but there are large, unsightly ones that can be easily removed by your dermatologist.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine
In terms of health and hygiene, there are many things we are afraid to ask (much less discuss) our family, friends, and, sometimes, even the people whose job is to help us address them. Some people choose to ignore these questions, some choose to set them aside for later, and some choose outright denial. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean they would go away. So here are the answers to the top embarrassing health questions most people are afraid to ask.
My feet stink! Do other people really notice it? How do I get rid of it?
Yes, people notice but unless they’re quite vocal, they wouldn’t tell you. Like the palm of your hands, your feet have sweat glands too that can attract odor-causing bacteria to hang around and multiply. Wash with an antibacterial soap and keep your feet clean and dry. Wear socks and shoes made of breathable materials like canvas and leather and make sure to air them out after wearing them. You can also try this home remedy: Soak your feet in a mixture of one part vinegar, one part water daily for a whole week.
I brush religiously and still, my breath smells bad. What do I do?
A case of ‘holy halitosis’ can surely humiliate anyone right on the spot. Religious brushing isn’t enough to ensure fresh breath that lasts the whole day. There are many causes of bad breath—like gum disease, sinus infection, dry mouth, acid reflux—that not even a pack of mints can solve. Aside from flossing, use toothpaste that has zinc compounds and makes sure to clean your tongue with a tongue scraper. Mints, gums, and mouthwash only offer short term relief. The only way to get rid of halitosis is to get rid of the bacteria that cause the odor.
I pee a little when I exercise or laugh hysterically or cough. Is it normal?
Yes. This normal occurrence is called stress urinary incontinence and it is common among adults, particularly women. The pelvic floor muscles are overwhelmed by sudden pressures in your bladder and, as a result, you pee a little. The best way to treat this normal problem is to do Kegel exercises. It’s easy, fast, and you can do it anywhere, anytime without people noticing it. In the meantime, you can use a tampon to address those little dribbles.
I always feel itchy down there. I thought it was a yeast infection but the antifungal cream didn’t help. What do I do?
When your nether region starts to itch, the first thing that comes to mind is a yeast infection and the need to use an antifungal cream. Using an ordinary soap can actually lead to worse itching sensation as it clears away the fungi and acid-loving bacteria that keeps a woman’s private area healthy by keeping away harmful microbes. This could lead to a bad odor, burning sensation, and pain during intercourse. Instead of soap, use a pH-neutral wash to rinse your privates.
I sweat so much that I get sweat marks all the time. I’m too scared to wear light colored shirts.
First of all, check what you’re applying to your armpits. Is it an antiperspirant or a deodorant? Yes, they’re not the same. To address the excess sweat, use an antiperspirant that blocks the pores to reduce sweating in the area. If that doesn’t solve the issue, ask your doctor for an antiperspirant prescription or—seriously—consider a Botox treatment in those areas. This non-invasive procedure can block the nerves in the area that stimulate the sweat glands. It could be quite unconventional and uncomfortable at first but don’t worry, it’s legal.
I keep forgetting things! Appointments, words, and even the names of people I’ve met just recently. Is this Alzheimer’s?
Forgetfulness is caused by a series of factors—aging, stress, medications, and multitasking. Everyone experiences it, especially that phenomenon when the word you’re trying to remember is at the tip of your tongue but you can’t say it out loud. However, one early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is forgetting new facts you’ve just learned, faces, and dates and having to ask them again and again without zeroing in on it. For instance, it’s normal to forget where you left your keys but finding them in the freezer isn’t. If you’ve noticed that you’re having difficulty in normal activities like following a cake recipe or forgetting a close friend’s name, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Are skin tags dangerous?
A skin tag is a tiny ball of tissue that commonly appears on surfaces of the body where skin rubs against the skin like the neck, armpits, and the upper chest. They’re also called cutaneous papilloma, cutaneous tag, and acrochordon. They are invariably noncancerous skin tumors that do not show any symptoms unless they are habitually scratched or rubbed by clothing, jewelry or accidentally hit during shaving. They are often very small and unnoticeable but there are large, unsightly ones that can be easily removed by your dermatologist.
