Question: What are the top five embarrassing everyday bodily problems? Part 1/2

It’s ironic that a lot of the most common everyday problems we encounter are also some of the most embarrassing. It can be difficult to work up the courage to seek assistance when some of these conditions develop, but it’s even worse to allow them to continue and perhaps even get worse. Confidence in ourselves is one of the most important qualities when it comes to happiness and success, and so this week we’re going to take a look at just what five of the most common embarrassing bodily problems are, and what perhaps may be causing them. 

Next week then, we’ll be going through some dedicated treatments and cures that are easily purchased at your local pharmacy, which are virtually guaranteed to clear up the problem, whatever it is. Remember, all staff are trained to help with almost any problem you can think of, so never be shy about enquiring about what you can do to try and improve things.

Bad Breath

Surveys regularly list bad breath, or halitosis, as one of the main fears that people have when it comes to interacting with others. If you’re aware that you might have a problem here, it can seriously undermine how you deal with everyone from work colleagues to family members. 

Bad breath generally has one overarching cause. When we eat, food particles, usually so tiny as to be virtually unnoticeable, remain in the mouth. Being warm and wet, the mouth is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which are more than happy to live off the feast that we are providing them with every meal. Once they have finished eating the leftover food in and around the teeth and gums, not to mention the tongue, the bacteria then release gases. In the vast majority of cases this is what is causing the bad breath. Brushing after eating, around the whole mouth and not just on the teeth will often reduce the problem significantly.

In a lesser number of cases, bad breath is caused by the food we have eaten, particularly onions and garlic, both of which can affect our breath for days afterward. 

Excessive Sweating

Sweating, though it’s not usually mentioned in polite company, is absolutely vital to our health. Not only does it keep the body cool in hot weather or during exercise, but it is also one of the primary ways that our body gets rid of toxins and waste. 

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, however, can be very embarrassing, particularly when we develop things like sweaty palms before a handshake or damp patches under our arms during the summer. 

Genetics play a large part in how much we sweat, and there is little we can do about that, but there are a number of things that do trigger sweating regardless of our family history. Anxiety is one, and this is why sweaty palms are a common problem before we meet new people. Our level of physical fitness is another. If we’re overweight or even out of training when it comes to aerobic exercise, sweating can be triggered simply by brisk walking. Finally, sweating during and immediately after a fever is normal, as this is the body’s way of protecting itself from the rise of temperature that comes with the illness. 

Outside of these situations, anxiety, (unexpected) exertion, and fever, excessive sweating could be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. These can include diabetes or heart problems, so it’s best to get checked if it is an ongoing problem. 

Wind

Breaking wind uncontrollably is certainly one of the most embarrassing things that can be happen to anyone, and like the other problems on this list, it has a surprisingly simple cause. As we eat, we take in air at the same time that we swallow food, which then settles in the stomach. The harmless air is then expelled either through the mouth (burping or belching), or through the backside. When the air comes from the back, it can also contain sulphur, which is a product of undigested food in the stomach. 

In extreme cases, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome can cause excess wind, and if this is the case then an appointment with your G.P. is called for.   

Scabies

Skin conditions can cause us to be very self-conscious no matter where they strike, and scabies is among the most common. Though it usually doesn’t strike in the most visible areas of the neck or head, scabies is embarrassing as it’s known to be caused by an infestation of parasites. These mites are called Sarcoptes, which work their way under the skin and cause unsightly and itchy blotches on the affected area. These are usually on the feet or arms, as well as the groin area. 

Scabies are contracted by physical contact with another person, and as such are hard to prevent if you’re occupied in an area that necessitates working closely with others. Scabies can also spread quickly through children due the long hours spent together in classrooms and break time. 

Dandruff

Dandruff can make wearing dark clothes a bit of a nightmare, and the itching that comes with the condition makes matters even more uncomfortable. Fighting the urge to scratch your head and dust off your shoulders is also a continual battle if you work somewhere where people can see you constantly. 

Dandruff can be caused by a large number of practices and physical characteristics. Infrequent shampooing of the hair is one, while a lack of zinc and Vitamin B in the daily diet is another. On the other hand, the scalp can also react to some otherwise harmless hair care products and produce dandruff in response. More serious problems like psoriasis and eczema can also expand into a dandruff problem also. 

The good news with dandruff is that it’s usually easily treated with a dedicated anti-dandruff shampoo available at your local pharmacy. 

Next week: What are the best treatments for all of the embarrassing ailments listed above?

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy