Asking the right questions is often the key to clear communication. This works even in the case of routine checks with your physician. Asking questions provides you with the necessary information about your body and overall health. Instead of waiting for the doctor to provide this information, you should proactively ask questions during routine checkups. Keep reading the article to know more about the questions you can ask your doctor. In addition to mentioning any current symptoms — physical or emotional, you can ask questions to your doctor to know more about your overall health. Listed below are some basic questions you can ask your doctor during a checkup. Are my vital signs normal? One of the first things doctors do during routine checkups is checking the vital signs of the patient. This includes blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, and weight. In most cases, these signs can indicate underlying health conditions. Hence, it’s extremely important to ask if your vital signs are associated with health issues. What impact can family history have on my health? If you have not updated your doctor with your family history and health conditions, you must report these at the earliest. This can include mentioning critical conditions in first-degree relatives like mother, father, and siblings.

More than 37 million people in our country have diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. If ignored, diabetes can lead to other health complications that might be life-threatening. Therefore, patients must visit a healthcare expert for treatments and therapies. One could also make specific lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods that may balance blood glucose levels. Here are seven superfoods to incorporate into the nutrition plan. Blueberries Blueberries are one of the most beneficial superfoods to control blood sugar. They are abundant in antioxidants, healthy fibers, and essential vitamins and minerals. Blueberries might enhance insulin sensitivity and improve the amount of glucose cleared from the blood. Other berry varieties may also help manage diabetes. Strawberries, in particular, can curb complications like nerve damage and kidney disease. Salmon Salmon is enriched with vitamins, healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants, properties that help control blood sugar levels. This fish is also rich in proteins, which helps slow digestion, preventing blood sugar spikes after a meal. Furthermore, adding fish to regular meals may help one feel full. This can avoid overeating, a habit that can contribute to diabetes. Spinach Leafy green vegetables like spinach are low in calories and rich in magnesium, an element known to manage type 2 diabetes.

The lungs are one of the most vital organs which support respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Gas exchange, or the process of inhaling and exhaling air, is integral to life as it helps the body receive the oxygen required for various life functions and filter out carbon dioxide. Oxygen is essential for survival; therefore, one must follow healthy nutritional habits that impact lung function. Read further to learn about healthy foods that boost lung function.  Beetroot Bright-colored vegetables have always ranked at the top of the foods deemed beneficial for the lungs. Beetroot boasts excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that counter inflammation and prevent oxidative stress from harming lung cells. Beetroot is also packed with nitrates, and when one eats it, the body converts these nitrates into nitric oxide, which has various benefits. It helps relax the blood vessels, enables better oxygen flow, and keeps the blood pressure in check. Assorted berries Berries are the richest sources of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins. Anthocyanins control inflammation in the lungs and prevent mucus from blocking the air sacs to boost respiratory function. Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries are all rich sources of anthocyanins, among other antioxidants, which boost lung health. Fatty fish Salmon is one of the most favored fatty fish that is easy to digest, low in carbs, and high in nutrients that boost lung health.

Multiple myeloma is cancer developing in the plasma cell, a type of white blood cell in the body. Cancerous plasma cells develop in the bone marrow, causing a reduction in healthy cells, and the condition may or may not entail symptoms at the initial stages. Doctors typically recommend blood and urine tests, bone-marrow tests, imaging tests, etc., to diagnose the condition. Here are some early multiple myeloma (MM) warning signs that should not be ignored: Anemia Since the cancerous plasma cells multiply rapidly, they may outnumber the healthy cells, including healthy red blood cells in the body, leading to low blood count and anemia. Doctors often recommend the inclusion of iron-rich food in the meal plans of MM patients to increase their blood count. Foods like leafy greens, poultry, eggs, beans, sardines, prunes, dates, and fatty fish can help increase one’s hemoglobin levels and aid overall immunity. To ensure iron absorption, individuals should supplement iron-rich foods with foods high in vitamin C, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, and cruciferous vegetables. Osteoporosis The cancerous myeloma cells develop in the bone marrow and can lead to bone brittleness and damage. Such symptoms may result in the onset of osteoporosis, a condition common among patients with MM.

A smile displaying clean, white teeth is aesthetically pleasing and a sign of overall well-being. Professional teeth clean-ups and nutritious meals can facilitate healthy teeth. In addition, teeth whitening procedures have garnered massive popularity of late, owing to their effectiveness and long-lasting results. However, many view this procedure with skepticism and concern due to a lack of information. Keep reading to learn more about the teeth whitening process and its benefits. How does teeth whitening work? A dentist may carry out teeth whitening over a few regular sessions; however, several teeth-whitening products are available today for at-home teeth whitening. A few such products are listed below. Colgate Optic White This product comes with a precision brush and a button on top, enabling one to whiten the surface of each tooth effectively. The product comprises hydrogen peroxide and is suitable for individuals with teeth sensitivity. The pen should be used every night for glistening teeth. GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Kit Equipped with GLO warming heat and a blue LED light, this product works wonders in ensuring white teeth if used four times a day for five consecutive days. Each application should be for a duration of 8 minutes. AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit This kit entails a rechargeable teeth-whitening light and a flexible latex-free teeth-whitening tray.

Charcoal toothpaste has recently gained popularity as a natural alternative to traditional toothpaste. Advocates of the product claim that it can whiten teeth, remove stains, and improve overall oral health. However, before one makes the switch to using charcoal toothpaste, it’s important to know what it is, its effectiveness, and potential risks. By weighing the pros and cons, one can determine if charcoal toothpaste is the right choice for their oral hygiene routine. What is activated charcoal? Charcoal is a black odorless substance produced by heating wood, peat, coconut shells, or other organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Activated charcoal is a finely ground powder that has been treated with oxygen at a high temperature to reduce the size of its pores. The process improves its ability to adsorb or attract toxins or impurities. This makes activated charcoal useful in a variety of applications, like filtering water, absorbing toxins in the digestive tract, and in skincare products to remove impurities. Recently, it’s also being used in toothpaste as an ingredient to help whiten teeth and remove stains. Pros Teeth whitening: Charcoal toothpaste is claimed to whiten teeth by removing surface stains. It is a porous material that absorbs impurities, including plaque and stains.

The title “4 healthiest types of water” may seem like yet another marketing gimmick to promote specific bottled water manufacturers. However, in reality, water does come in a variety of kinds. This classification is done on the basis of the source from which the water was taken, the processing method used for purification, and its nutritional value. Based on various permutations and combinations, these factors determine how healthy a particular kind of water can be. Tap water As most urban residences across the country pay a certain fee to their local municipal water supply systems, the water that comes through their taps is super-refined and ready to consume. This water goes through multiple levels of purification, such as coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, disinfection, and filtration. This makes them one of the healthiest types of water. This kind of water is also sourced from pristine places like rivers, lakes, underground aquifers, and even oceans. This is why most people prefer to consume water directly from their taps over bottled water, which might contain undesirable additives and preservatives. Glacier water Water normally originates from glaciers and hot springs. Manufacturers then collect this water, which is already extremely pure and full of electrolytes and nutrients, in bottles, before mildly decontaminating it to make it even more refined and consumable.

Whether starting with a new doctor or revisiting the old doctor, one must avoid doing certain things before visiting the doctor. For example, one must avoid wearing any kind of metal while going for a scan or eating before going for an ultrasound. Taking care of things like this can help a person get accurate results. It is best to make a note of the concerns one needs the doctor to address.  5 things to avoid before a doctor’s appointment Avoid drinking coffee before checking blood pressure A person must avoid drinking coffee before visiting a doctor to get accurate results during a check-up. Consuming coffee or any beverage that contains caffeine, including energy drinks or colas, can cause blood pressure to be incorrectly higher. The same holds for over-the-counter decongestants. Reduce salt intake before going to the doctor While some people seek comfort foods like chocolate and other sweets when worried, others choose comfort foods like potato chips. If one is visiting the doctor for managing hypertension, salty snacks is one thing a person must avoid before visiting the doctor. High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, has been related to severe health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Normally many people seek medical help when they encounter any strange health symptoms or a sudden outbreak. Regular health check-ups are intended for seeking help for medical problems and identifying possible risk factors by analyzing the test results. Getting proper medical help and modifying the lifestyle would be the best advice one can get. That’s why a health check-up is necessary. One must also be aware of things to clarify with a doctor during a health check-up. Aspects of regular health check-ups Review of medical history: Your doctor will inquire about your past and present medical issues, prescriptions, and surgeries. Physical examination: Your doctor will perform a physical examination that includes checking your vital signs, heart and lung function, and any unusual lumps or growths. Counseling: Your doctor may guide healthy lifestyle practices like nutrition and exercise. Referral: If your doctor notices any anomalies or determines that you need additional testing or treatment, they may refer you to a specialist. Laboratory tests: Your cholesterol, blood sugar, and other critical health markers may be checked via blood and urine tests. Screening tests: Your doctor may advise screening tests like mammograms or Pap smears to detect cancer or other diseases early. 3 things to clarify with a doctor during a health check-up Here are a few things to consider before any regular health check-up:

Dehydration can occur for various reasons, such as sweating excessively, not drinking enough water, or vomiting and diarrhea. Most people know that some common symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, and dark urine, but other unusual and hidden signs may point to this condition. Ignoring these signs of dehydration may lead to health issues in the long run. If one experiences any of these symptoms, increasing the intake of water and other fluids is best. Bad breath When the body becomes dehydrated, it produces less saliva. Saliva is important in washing away food particles and bacteria from the mouth. Without enough saliva, bacteria can thrive, causing bad breath. Muscle cramps When the body is dehydrated, it can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes, which are essential minerals that help regulate nerve and muscle function. This can cause muscles to contract involuntarily, resulting in painful cramps. Dry or dull skin Dehydration can cause the skin to become dry, dull, or less elastic. Wrinkles and fine lines may also be a result of dehydrated skin. Headaches Dehydration can cause headaches or migraines in some people. When the body is dehydrated, it can decrease blood volume, which can cause blood vessels in the brain to narrow, leading to headaches.