Are You Glucose Intolerant?

We’ve all heard about the rise of diabetes, but a related disease called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) hasn’t received much recognition. IGT sufferers have a reduced ability to regulate sugar levels in their blood. It’s the same problem as diabetes but in a milder form. Here’s what you need to know:

• Risk factors – IGT is common among those who are overweight, who have family members with diabetes, who have history of heart disease and / or store, and who have high blood pressure.

• Diagnosis – It is diagnosed with an oral glucose tolerance test. A person fasts, then is given a drink containing 75 grams of glucose. Blood sugar Is measured tow hours later. Someone with IGT will get higher levels of glucose over a longer period.

• Treatment – While IGT can not be treated directly, people with IGT are encouraged to increase their level of physical activity, achieve a healthy weight and follow a healthy, balanced diet. Drugs can help slow IGT’s development into diabetes.

If you think you are risk for IGT, ask your doctor about having a glucose tolerance test.

No Shame in Helping Your Bowels

Your digestive system seems to be out of control. Either you can’t stay off the toilet, or your stomach is tied in knots. Your bowel movements are loose and runny, or unusually hard.

If this sounds familiar, you are probably suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common digestive disorder. A lot of people are too embarrassed to seek help. Symptoms include constipation or diarrhoea after meals, over a period of several months, usually accompanied by abnormal cramps or bloating and increased intestinal gas.

The good new is that IBS isn’t life-threatening. These tips to ease the discomfort cause by IBS:

• Avoid gas-forming foods like potatoes, beans, legumes, broccoli, lentils and cabbage.

• Eat a high-fibre diet. Fibre increases stool production and reduces pressure in the intestines.

• Eliminate diary products to see if your condition improves.

• Have small, frequent meals and cut out fatty food like ham-burgers, frieds, ice cream and chocolate.

• Drink lots of fluid to keep your bowels moving smoothly

• Avoid coffee – Caffeine, even in small accounts, stimulates the bowels.

Exercise like a Kid

The more you enjoy exercising, the more likely you’ll stick with it. Children play these games just for fun, but you can get a healthier heart and slimmer body:

• Hula-hoop – Targets abdominal and lower back muscles for a sculpted waist.

• Skipping rope – You’ll tone your calves and build agility, strength and endurance. Just 15 minutes of vigorous skipping burns almost as many kilojoules as a half-hour jog.

• Scooter – The standing leg gets stronger, while the pushing leg gets an endurance workout. It’s great cardio and will firm up the legs. Balancing works the core while trimming abs.

• Trampoline – Not recommended for children, but a high-intensity session on a mini-trampoline burns about the same number of kilojoules as running, without the knee-jarring impact. Just be careful you don’t fall of.

Keep an Eye on Your Eyes

The state of your peepers can reveal a lot about your health information. So, keep an eye on your eyes:

• Yellow eyes – Most eyes take on a yellow-brown tinge with age, though a diet high in fat and low in fruit and vegetables can make it worse. This won’t affect sight, but if it’s pronounced and affects the skin, it could be jaundice. See your doctor.

• Foggy sight – Could be an early sign of cataracts, opaque patches on the lens that are operable. Could also be glaucoma, pressure in the eye that can cause blindness if not picked up.

• Putty eyes – Usually mean something is irritating the eye, perhaps an allergy or water retention. Can occasionally signal a thyroid problem, in which case the neck may also swell.

• Flashing lights – Visual disturbances can be a sign of stress. But it can also be a warning of retinal detachment, so have an eye exam to rule that out.

• Double vision – Aside from alcohol or other drugs, a common cause is an untreated childhood squint. But if it appears in later life, it could signal multiple sclerosis, stroke, a tumor or some other disease.

• Blurring – Long and short sightedness and astigmatism can all cause this, so you may need glasses or a new prescription. But blurring can also be a symptom of high blood pressure or uncontrolled diabetes, or the beginnings of age-related macular degeneration. This comes to us all but can be slowed by talking a lutein supplement.

• Stye – A harmless infection forming a small, often painful abscess at the base of an eyelash or inside the eyelid. Will usually disappear on its own, but can be treated with antibiotic ointment.

• Floaters – Usually just a shadow cast by the natural proteins in your eye. But if you suddenly start seeing lots of they are colored, then it could signal bleeding or a torn retina.

• Aching eyes – Probably caused by working in front of a computer. Take regular breaks.

• Red, gritty eyes – Could be an infection or allergy, but it may be a trapped lash or a bit of make-up. You may need to see an optometrist.

Life Need Not be a Pain in the Neck

Although neck pain does not get the same attention as back pain, it is common. If you are susceptible, here are some hints:

• Do not jump out of bed and start exercising. Let your joints warm up.

• At work, adjust your computer so that the top of the monitor is at eye level and use a document holder. Learning to touch type will also stop you having to look down constantly.

• Change the phone from side to side when using it. Do not cup the receiver between head and neck. Try using a headset.

• Avoid heavy handbags or briefcases. Get a backpack or “trolley” briefcase.

• Sit upright when you are driving. Do not lean back in a straight armed “racer” position.

• Support your neck in bed. Scrunch up a pillow or towel or use a neck pillow.

• Try ice or frozen peas to soothe throbbing pain, or a hot water bottle for aches.

Eyes Protection - Made for the Shade

Cataracts are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, and new studies have found that light at the blue end of the spectrum can damage the retina and possibly lead to age-related macular degeneration.

Protecting your eyes from the sun is as simple as slipping on a pair of shades. UV-protected sunglasses will block out up to 90 per cent of visible light and 100 per cent of UV rays. Ensuring kids wear sunglasses is doubly important because their pupils dilate more than adults, allowing in more harmful rays.

Some pointers when buying shades:

• Non-UV protective sunglasses could be worse than none at all because they fool the pupil into not constricting, letting in more UV rays.

• Wraparound shades prevent light from getting into your eyes from the side.

• Expensive glasses do not necessarily offer more protection – always look for a 100 per cent UV certificate.

Getting a Quiet Night's Sleep

Studies have shown that the louder you snore, the more likely you have a medical problem. One condition associated with snoring is obstructive sleep apnoea, which has potential complications like hypertension, heart attack, stroke and early dementia.

Obesity is the leading cause of snoring. Other culprits include advancing age, anatomical problems such as having a small jaw, drinking sedatives. Sleeping on the back is also a frequent aggravating factor.

How can you quiet your snoring? Lose weight if you are obese, avoid alcohol before bed, quit smoking, don’t take sleeping pills and treat allergies at bedtime.

Give Thanks, Get Healthy

Science shows that a little gratitude can go a long way. Being thankful can be good for your health.

Research has shown that people who write lists of things they’re grateful for spend more time exercising and sleep better than those who do not. Gratitude is like putting on a new pair of glasses. People see things in different ways.

Like exercise, gratitude has to become a habit to work. And like exercise, it gets easier. Try it: keep a journal, pray or meditate. Write what you’re grateful for on index cards and toss them in a blessings jar to read over when you’re blue. Or put the jar on the dinner table to spread our gratitude and good health.

Nosebleed Alert

People typically get nosebleeds from things like dry weather, blowing or picking. But sometimes a nosebleed can be more serious:

• If the blood is still flowing after applying ten minutes of continuous pressure to the nose. Usually, pinching your nose should stop the bleeding within five to 10 minutes.

• If you have frequent nosebleeds. These could result from a bleeding disorder or an abnormal lesion in the nose.

• If you’re bleeding down the back of your throat, as well as your nostril, or if you’re bleeding from both nostrils. That could mean a deeper bleed.

• If the bleeding is rapid and copious, and/ or you feel weak.

• If you get a nosebleed as a result of a head or facial injury.

When Work Is a Headache

Migraines affects many millions of workers, with millions more getting severe headaches. Do not let pain restrain your career by follow these tips:

• Talk with your boss and colleagues - So they understand the need for time off or break from work. If your menstrual cycle triggers migraines, plan around it when you schedule meetings, and complete tasks or keep work organized so colleagues can stand in.

• Consider your work environment – Check your lighting. Daylight is better than fluorescent bulbs. Angle your monitor away from glare and watch noise levels. Keep lavender on your desk (its use dates back 200 years).

• Plan ahead – Put an ice pack in the work fridge. If a headache hits, you can place it on your forehead or the back of your neck Keep your medication close by in your desk.

Take Care of Your Eyes - Ease the Strain

As you age, you lose the power to focus your eyes, a problem commonly known as eyestrain. It is a gradual process that happens to everyone. And most people who spend long hours in front of computer are not immune.

The researchers found a significant link between eyesight troubles and heavy computer use among five per cent of 10,000 middle-aged workers. To minimize the computer eye strain, below are some of recommendations:

• Position your screen about 30 – 40 cm from your eyes.

• Have enough soft light coming from a source behind or beside your shoulder.

• Close your eyes for a few minutes to refocus them and help them relax.

• After about 45 – 60 minutes in front of the computer, you should take a rest for a few minutes and refocus your eyes on distant objects.

• Take time to stand up and stretch or, if possible, alternate computer activities with other tasks.

Stay Alert with an Afternoon Siesta

Few of us get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and many who have time to nap do not, for fear of spoiling night-time sleep. But sleep researchers say napping does not make nodding off at night more difficult, and it may even sharpen your mind.

Researchers gave 32 adults thinking and memory tasks over a four-day period. On the third day, they were asked to try to nap between 2pm and 4pm. For another four days, they skipped the nap but took the tests. On the day of the nap and the following day, they did better on the tasks, and the daytime snooze had no effect on night-time sleep quality or quantity.

You have a biological sleep need for X hours. If you can sleep in the middle of the day, you need it. Not all of us can take a daily nap. Luckily squeezing in a siesta on the weekend can help.

Reasons to Get More Exercise

Of course you know exercise is good for you. Here are three more reasons to limber up:


1. It boosts the immune system – Our ability to fight infections tends to decline as we get older, but studies show that older people who get six hours of moderate exercise a week have an immune response similar to that of someone in their 20s.

2. It guards against Parkinson’s – A Harvard University analysis of 48,000 men found that the most active were 50 per cent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease that the least active. Those who’d been vigorously active as young men cut the risk by 60 per cent.

3. It could slow prostate cancer – A 17-year Harvard study found that men over 65 doing at least three hours of running, cycling, swimming, etc, a week had a 70 per cent lower risk of being diagnosed with advanced or fatal prostate cancer.

Shoe Play an Important Role in Children’s Feet Health

Constriction of the toes is one of the chief causes of deformity in children’s feet. Deformities may self-correct up to age seven, but beyond this they are usually irreversible.

• Encourage babies and toddlers to go barefoot on soft round or in sandals.

• Teenage feet are supple and can often be squeezed into constricting shoes without pain. But bones are still growing – a shoe that fits in January may be too small by July.

• Ensure a thumb-width gap at the front. The sole should flex with the toes’ natural bend.

• Fashion shoes seldom come in a range of widths. As a compromise, put kids in “sensible” shoes during the day and save fashion shoes for special occasions.

• Avoid the temptation to let kids squeeze into expensive football boots or trainers they have outgrown.

Is Expensive Toothbrush Work Better?

Most of people have doubt if those inexpensive battery-operated toothbrushes work as well as pricier rechargeable ones.

In fact, as long as you hit all surfaces of the teeth, any brush, powered or manual, will clean well. The cheaper models use mechanics similar to the more expensive ones, without the bells and whistles.

That said, in a review, a rotational oscillating brush (bristles rotate in one direction, then the other) removed the most plaque. Brush twice daily for two minutes regardless whichever type you use. And even the priciest brush does not eliminate the need to floss.

Herbal Tea Can Harm Your Teeth

In a quest to cut down on caffeine, many of us are quaffing hearbal tea instead of the traditional stuff. But researchers have found that fruit-based teas attack your teeth.

Teas such as orange, lemon, raspberry and blackcurrant contain acids that dissolve the tooth’s enamel after as little as four month’s regular consumption, leaving teeth vulnerable to chipping and sensitivity to hot and cold.

Brushing your teeth straight after drinking such teas can do more harm than good, as the softened enamel is brushed away. Try rinsing your mouth after drinking citrus teas, or drink non-fruit teas such as chamomile or peppermint.

Do Not Swallow Your Pills with Certain Beverages

You may be tempted to take pills with a sip of juice, coffee, or beer. Anyhow, water is a safer bet:

• Grapefruit juice – It may inhibit enzymes that help metabolize certain pills, including some heart drugs and antidepressants. That can make them less effective and worsen side effects.

• Coffee, tea, cola – Consuming caffeine while using certain asthma drugs may increase side effects. Caffeine can irritate the stomach, so avoid with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen.

• Alcohol – You risk liver damage if you drink regularly and use acetaminophen. Alcohol can diminish the effects of antidepressants and worsen side effects of other drugs.

• Cranberry juice – Reports suggest drinking it while on warfarin, an anticoagulant, may increase bleeding.

• Fibre drinks – Fibre can bind with many drugs, decreasing effectiveness.

Five Surprising Reasons to Get More Sleep

Of course, in a less busy world we’d all grab extra shut-eye. But it could have more effect on your health than you think.

1. It could make you thinner
Research found that the less sleep you get, the higher your body mass index tends to be. A Bristol study may have the explanation: people who sleep five hours a night were found to have 15% more ghrelin (a hormone that boosts hunger) in their bodies and 15% less leptin (which suppresses it) than those sleeping eight hours.

2. It could boost your memory
Sleep plays a key role in making new memories stick in the brain. A Harvard experiment showed that subject’s tough complex finger movements like a piano scale recalled them much better after 12 hours’ sleep than 12 hours’ wakefulness. Another study showed that working into the night slowed thinking skills, both at the time and during the next day.

3. It boosts the immune system
A study of elderly people suffering depression found that those with disturbed sleep had fewer disease-fighting cells in their blood. Moreover, melatonin, produced when you sleep, is a cancer-fighting antioxidant. Night-shift workers, whose wake/sleep rhythms are disrupted, may have up to 70 times greater risk of breast cancer.

4. It can slow down ageing
Persistent sleep debt has been shown to affect carbohydrate metabolism and hormone function in a way that may increase the severity of age-related chronic disorders. In fact, a large-scale study concluded that people who sleep 6-7 hours a night lived longer than those sleeping less than 4.52 hours.

5. It could keep you on the straight and narrow
If you’re a child, that is. The depression and low self-esteem often associated with just being a teenager actually correlate with sleep shortage. And young kids who sleep poorly are more than twice as likely to take to drink and drugs in adolescence.

Allergy Attack: Think Fast

Would you recognize the signs of a serous, possibly life-threatening, allergic reaction? Here are some simple guides:

• Face – Itchiness, redness, swelling of the face and tongue.

• Airways – Trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking.

• Stomach – Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea.

• Total body – Rash, itchiness, swelling, weakness, paleness, loss of consciousness.

What causes these symptoms? The most common triggers include food, most frequently peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, fish, soy, sesame seed and wheat insect stings, drugs and latex.

In case of an unexpected attack, use an epinephrine auto-injector at the first sign of a reaction and head for the hospital.

Dress Down, Slim Down

To burn kilojoules at work, take the stairs, not the lift, or hang up the phone and walk to your colleague’s office.

Great advice, but when you’re in an uncomfortable suit and tie or toe-crunching high heels, taking even one extra step can feel like climbing Everest.

Dress less restrictively and you’re more likely to move. There is a study indicates that the workers wore jeans or cotton shirts and comfortable shoes, they took about 500 more steps and burned more kilojoules than on dressier days.

Most of people add up to one kilo a year; dressing down daily could prevent this weight gain.

Heart-Attach Humbug Alert!

An idea has been doing the rounds on the internet that if you suffer a heart attack while alone, you can keep yourself alive and possibly restore a pulse by coughing.

The British Heart Foundation warns that this is based loosely on reports of cardiac patients who achieved some blood flow by coughing, much like chest compressions – but someone alone would be unlikely to keep themselves conscious long enough to drive to hospital, as the rumor suggest.

Vigorous coughing could do more harm than good. Anyone experiencing chest pain should call for help, especially if it lasts 15 minutes or more.

Kicking Kidney Stones

They're painful, they're on the rise - and high-protein diets may be partly to blame. Protein from meat and other animal products is broken down into acids. It's your kidneys' job to balance acids with bases for elimination from the body. The handiest base in the calcium in your bones. Protein is broken down and stored in the bone, where it binds with calcium. Then the kidneys filter these particles from your blood. And the more meat you eat, the more calcium you'll have in your kidneys. Over time, these particles bind together, forming stones.

Kidney stones have typically been viewed as a male problem, but since women are more likely than men to try these diets their risk is rising at a faster clip. The simplest fix is to avoid high-protein diets. If you must try one, talk to your doctor first.

Putting the Squeeze on Acne

Most teenagers will live through a plague of pimples at some time, usually just before an important date. But what should you do when acne grows from a few blackheads to large cysts?

You should consult your doctor rather than wait to “outgrow” acne. Medical treatment can improve your appearance and prevent the development of scars.

To keep acne from getting worse, dermatologists recommend gently washing your face – not scrubbing or rubbing – no more than twice a day with a mild soap.

And although there is no problem wearing make-up or shaving, oily and greasy cosmetics may make the condition worse.

Diet does not usually cause acne, but a few people find that their acne gets worse when they eat certain foods, particularly chocolate, fried food and chilies.

Several Ways to Guard Against Dementia

Research shows that your lifestyle could affect your risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's. There are some tips for you to against dementia:

• Drink alcohol - In moderation, that is. A US study of older women found that those who reported drinking (typically 1-2 drinks a day) had a 40 per cent lower risk of cognitive decline that those who claimed to drink nothing.
• Eat apples - Fresh apples have high concentrations of quercetin, an antioxidant that, lab studies suggest, may fight the damage done by free radicals to brain cells.
• Eat Broccoli - A study of men aged 50-85 in Boston found that those with more folate in their blood showed less decline in verbal fluency. Folate turns up in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale.
• Eat Oily Fish - Experiments on mice bred to develop Alzheimer's show that feeding them DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in mackerel, halibut, salmon and sardines (and also almonds, walnuts and soya), reduced by 70 per cent the build-up of blood plaques that are a hallmark of the disease.
• Eat less - It is generally considered that obese people are at greater risk. And another mouse study found that animals who have their food restricted by 40 per cent, compared with mice who can eat all they want, again have a reduced level of blood plaque.
• Take exercise - It does not need much. A Hawaiian study found that elderly men who walked three or more kilometers a day halved their risk of dementia compared with men who walked less than a third of a kilometer.
• Look after your ticker - High LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes are all known to be risk factors for heart disease, but a study of 9000 Californians found that they also raised the risk of dementia - by 46 per cent for diabetes, 42 per cent for high cholesterol, 26 per cent for smoking and 24 per cent for hypertension. There are cumulative, if you've got all four then your risk is boosted by 237 per cent.

Prevent Painful Hangovers

Everyone has his own hangover cure: caffeine, exercise, greasy food – even the pills and potions sold in convenience stores. But none has been proven to cure hangovers. Caused mainly by dehydration, hangovers are best treated by drinking water and taking acetaminophen, which is easy on the stomach. (Heavy drinkers, who are at risk for liver disease, should not take acetaminophen without a doctor’s OK)

Luckily, recent research indicates you can prevent post-drinking pain. Try these tricks before your next night on the town:

• Bet on B – Swallow a daily multivitamin that contains B-6. It speeds the elimination of alcohol from the blood, leading to a faster recovery.

• Have an H2O chaser – Alcohol is a diuretic. It impairs the kidneys’ ability to retain water, resulting in dizziness and nausea. The fix: down a glass of water after each drink, and another before bed.

• Cut down on congeners – These impurities arising from the fermentation process inflame your body’s tissues, much like a virus does. Choose top-shelf brands, or clear drinks, like vodka, which have fewer congeners than darker booze, like Whisky.

Hard Beds are bad for Backs

If you suffer from chronic back pain, you may have been told that you should sleep on a firm mattress. New research suggests a bed with a bit of give may be better for you.

A team at the Kovacs Foundation in Palma, Majorca, took 313 patients with chronic, non-specific lower back pain and gave them either firm or medium-firm mattresses to sleep on for three months. Those with the medium-firm ones were twice as likely to report an improvement in pain when lying down or getting up and were less likely to need pain-killing medication.

The US Sleep Council advises that you go for a supportive mattress, rather than a hard one. “Those labeled “orthopaedic” are generally just extra-firm. But what’s right for you depends on your weight. Don’t be afraid to try mattresses out in shops to find one that’s comfortable.

Kick Athlete’s Foot

Not just itchy, athlete’s foot can be painful and unsightly. And ridding yourself of the fungus isn’t easy.

Prevent the problem by wearing flip-flops in locker rooms, drying feet after bathing and changing socks if they get damp.

If you get athlete’s foot, follow through on treatment. Over-the-counter medications work, but often aren’t used properly. Creams are better absorbed than sprays or powders.

No matter which product you use, follow the package directions. It can take six weeks to get rid of athlete’s foot. Even if it clears up, keep treating it or the infection will return.

Still suffering? See your doctor for a prescription.

Benefits and Risks of Different Swimming Stroke

You know swimming is great exercise. But each stroke has different benefits and risks:

• Front crawl. The fastest stroke and the best back-strengthener. Also tones the glutes, abs and shoulders. This stroke is a good joule burner (420 per ten minutes). However, the commonest problem is not breathing properly (the key is to exhale evenly underwater). Have lessons if necessary.

• Breaststroke. Expands the lungs and works the chest, legs, shoulders and triceps. Burns only 250 joules per ten minutes. Warm up before trying this stroke or you could damage your knees or back. Do not keep your head out of the water as it's bad for your neck.

• Backstroke. Tones stomach, back, legs, arms and shoulders. A good antidote to a day at a desk and adds variety in your pool sessions. Burns 35 joules per ten minutes. Do not have your head too high or your hips will sink.

• Butterfly. Stretches and strengthens the body and burns 625 joules per ten minutes. Poor technique can damage shoulders and back.

For Skin Like a Peach

If you’re keen to look after your face but blanch at the cost of skincare products, you can make cleansers, toners and nourishers from fruit, vegetables and other foodstuffs.

Many fruits have a nourishing, revitalizing and astringent action. Some vegetables fight inflammation and contain vitamin A. Here are some recipes to try:

• Cucumber cleanser. Peel, seed, puree and sieve one-quarter of a small cucumber. Stir two tablespoons of honey into two tablespoons of the juice and add a tablespoon of full-fat milk. Apply to the face and neck for 20 minutes, then wash off with bottled water.

• Banana anti-ageing face mask. Mash a small banana and stir in two tablespoons of fresh double cream, one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of potato flour. Apply for 30 minutes and then rinse off.

• Lemon toning mask. Beat one egg white until stiff, and then fold in the juice of half a lemon. Apply to the face for 20 minutes, and then wash off.

Are Soft Drinks Really Bad for Your Teeth?

Yes, though some types are worse than others. Acids dissolve tooth enamel, and that can lead to cavities.

Canned or bottled iced tea and lemon-lime drinks dissolved enamel fastest; colas were less damaging. Diet drinks were no better than full-kilojoules ones.

No need to give up on soft drinks. Drink them with means; (food helps absorb acid) or in one sitting (sipping all day bathes teeth in acid). Swishing with water after every drink helps too.

Are Chemicals in Microwave Popcorn Dangerous?

You can continue to eat your favorite movie munchies without fear. The chemical in question is diacetyl, used to make butter flavorings.

Diacetyl is found naturally in real butter and it’s safe to eat. But at industrial levels, when large amounts of hot vapors containing diacetyl are breathed in for long periods, it may damage delicate lung tissue.

So, the bottom line is that the amount if diacetyl released from individual bags is so small that there’s no evidence it poses any risk.

Sneaky Signs Of Diabetes

They symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be tricky, which helps explain why millions of people have the disease but don't know it. You may know the classic symptoms of fatigue, recurrent infections and frequent urination. Lesser known signs.:

• Bad breath (a smell like nail polish mover). Excess sugar in saliva prompts bacteria growth, which help create foul-smelling gases.

• Swollen gums. Increased bacteria can lead to inflammation and bleeding.

• Blurred vision. Sugar in the lens of the eye makes it swell and refract light improperly.

• Frequent thirst. In an effort to eliminate sugar, the body demands plenty of fluids.

If you have two or more symptoms, and any other risk factors (being over age 40 or overweight; having a family history of diabetes; having high blood pressure or cholesterol), see your doctor.

Allergy Danger: Your Car

Your wheels can make you wheeze. Car air vents are allergen magnets. And research shows that even people who don't own pets have cat and dog dander in their cars - it sticks to our clothing. How to quell auto-induced allergies:

• Keep it dry. Moisture collects in the air-conditioning unit, which could lead to mould. Turn the air conditioner off a few minutes befor eyou stop the car, leaving the fan on, vents open, to dry it out.

• Keep in clean. The biggest irritants are dust and pollen. The solution: vacuum and wipe the inside of your car weekly.

• Keep it sealed. Roll up windows and set the vent to "recirculate" at peak allergy times - morning and night.

Test Your Biological Age

You probably know how many years you’ve been alive, but some doctors are now more interested in “biological ageing” – the physical decline that comes with age – a process that actually happens at different rates in different parts of the body in different people. To a certain extent it’s under our control through lifestyle choices.

Some private clinics offer tests that build an overall picture using a battery of measurements. Many can’t be taken at home, including grip strength, breathing and DNA analysis. But to give you a tater, here are some tests we can all try. Don’t panic if you get an alarming score: the tests aren’t conclusive in isolation.

• Balance – Stand on your left leg with your right leg bent behind you, your hands on your hips and your eyes closed. Time how long you last before losing your balance. Use your best score of three. 70 plus seconds biological age in the 20s; 60-69 sec 30s; 50-59 sec 40s; 40-49 sec 50s; 30-39 sec 60s; 20-29 sec 70s; under 20 sec 80s

• Reaction – Ask a friend to hold a ruler 45cm above the thumb and forefinger of your writing hand. When he drops it, measure how far it falls before you catch it. Under 15cm age in the 20s; 15-24cm 30s; 25-29cm 40s; 30-35cm 50s; over 40cm 60s.

• Skin elasticity – Pinch up as much skin on the back of your hand as you can. Then release it and time how long it takes to lie flat again. Under 1 second age in the 20s; 1-2 sec 30s, 3-4 sec 40s; 5-10 sec 50s; 11-30 sec 60s; 33-45 sec 70s; 46 plus sec 80s

• Cholesterol – Look in the mirror at your eye. Is there a white arc around the edge of your cornea? It is caused by fatty deposits and the longer and more complete the line, the more it indicates a prolonged fatty diet. An unbroken ring is a cause of concern in middle age.

• Mental agility – Count backwards from 100 in sevens: 100, 93, 86, etc. Time how long it takes to get down to zero. If you’re under 40 you should manage it in less than 20 seconds, 40-60 under 25 seconds. Now think of as many fruit and vegetables as you can in a minute. If you’re under 60 you should get at least 15. If you struggle with either you need to cognitive exercises.

A Clothes Call

“My feet are killing me! ” It’s a common complaint of high-heel-wearing women, and while it may be a slight exaggeration, there’s no question that your wardrobe cab wear you out. Fashions that can lead to pain – and other problems:

•  Neckties – According to a recent study, wearing a necktie that’s tied too tightly raises pressure in the eyes, which can lead to glaucoma.

• Shoes – Blisters, corns and bunions we know about. But wearing high-healed shoes, whether they’re stilettos or stacked, increases your risk of knee osteoarthritis.

• Tight pants – Doctors suspect that wearing pants that are too snug around the waist may lead to heartburn. And one study even linked the style to endometriosis.

Your Nails Are Telling You Something

Eyes may be the window to the soul, but the shape and color of fingernails and toenails can provide a glimpse of the state of your health. You should look out for:

• Pale or bluish nails may indicate anemia.
• Pink color slow in returning when the nail is squeezed may be a sign of decreased blood circulation.
• Clubbed nails shaped like the back of a spoon may mean cardiopulmonary disease or asthma.
• Spoon nails, which dip inward, could mean certain types of anemia or injury.
• Pitted nails with punched-out spots may signal psoriasis.

If you have any of these nail problems, see your doctor.