Your body goes through a number of changes during Ramadan when you’re fasting, owing to the adjustment in sleep patterns, fluid intake, modifications in what and when you eat, as well as altering the timings of your exercise schedule and indeed the type of exercise you can among to do. All of these changes can lead to a loss of lean muscle mass. Maintaining and indeed increasing lean muscle requires following a careful diet and...
It’s been a stressful 12 months, so reports of a a 2,000 percent increase in Google searches on headaches should not come as a huge surprise. Headaches affect up to 78 percent of the global population at some point in their lives. Then there’s the 15 percent of people who suffer from the crippling impact of migraines. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world, classed by the...
The restrictions of the past year have forced many of us to look for different hobbies and one that’s growing steadily in popularity is balcony gardening. And why not? You can do it safely from the comfort of your own home, you can see the progress you’re making and it gives you a real sense of achievement. And whether you do outdoors or in, gardening is very good for your health, says Mohamed Al...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is still a much-misunderstood disorder, despite affecting an estimated 10 to 15 percent of the global population. That figure could be as high as 20 percent in the UAE, according to studies by some doctors who fear that many people don’t come forward because they are embarrassed about discussing the symptoms, which might include a combination of bloating, severe cramps, flatulence and diarrhea. With no clear test for IBS, any diagnosis usually...
We’re hearing buzzwords like digital health tech, biohacking, health optimization and digital health monitoring, but what do they actually mean when it comes to our wellness? They may sound impenetrable, but essentially they all refer to the many sophisticated ways that are emerging to improve specific aspects of your health that go beyond the usual advice to eat well, exercise and take whatever vitamins your doctor thinks you need. It can be as simple as...
Is anyone even drinking cow’s milk anymore? With so many of us turning away from the original ‘white stuff’ due to dairy intolerances or for ethical, health or environmental reasons, the no-cow milk industry is flourishing. Market researchers Global Market Insights project global plant milk market revenue to hit US$21 billion by 2026, citing lactose intolerance, diet consciousness and increasing adoption of a vegan diet as the main factors. In the UAE, sales of soy milk...
Even before the pandemic, it was estimated that somewhere between 10 to 30 percent of the global population suffered from insomnia and other sleeping problems, with some studies placing it as high as 50 to 60 percent. Over the past year, Covid-19 has had its own impact on our sleep. Unfortunately, feeling tired isn’t the only side effect of insomnia. The severely sleep-deprived have a much higher chance of developing chronic conditions such as Type...
It’s been a weird six months for fitness, with Covid-19 restrictions piling on top of the usual summer heat slump. For many people, exercise has fallen to the bottom of the priority list. And as we all know, the longer we go without a visit to the gym, the harder it is to work up the motivation to get back there. But worry not, help is at hand in the form of Simon Niazi, health...
Dr. Paul Gelston, Clinical Psychologist at Dubai Community Health Centre shares his advice: What to do if you’re having suicidal thoughts: For people suffering with mental health difficulties, one of the helpful things you can do is to become familiar with your symptoms: how your difficulties usually present, what triggers the difficulties and what helps them. I would advise anyone who has thoughts that life is not worth living or that things appear hopeless, to please...
TRIGGER WARNING: If you are having suicidal thoughts, click here for expert advice and for links to support groups, medical help and hotlines. “I slowly opened my eyes, the place was filled with police officers and one was gently talking to me as I gained consciousness.” Chris Haill, 54, is retelling the story of his suicide attempt earlier this year. After living with depression for almost four decades, he made his second attempt at ending...
Could heading deep into the desert and burying yourself neck-deep in hot sand really be good for those aching muscles and joints? It all started with an Instagram post last year by UAE environmentalist and social campaigner Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, better known to his almost 60,000 followers as the Green Sheikh. A video showed American educator and author Stephen Ritz out in the desert, buried up to his neck in sand. During Ritz’s...