Does smell from perfumes pose health risks?

My wife uses very strong perfumes and they irritate me. Does this smell have any side effects?

James

--

Dear James,

You are right, smell of perfumes has several side effects and is not good for health. Perfumes are present not only in small scent bottles but in a wide range of products like incense sticks, deodorants, room freshners, soaps, shampoos, e.t.c. A perfume can be made of over 100 chemicals, all of which may not be listed in the contents on the packing. This can cause allergy in susceptible people. The allergy can manifest as skin rashes with itching, cold, cough, precipitation or aggravation of asthma. A person can have one or more manifestations of allergy.

Phthalates, a chemical present in, ‘good smells” is known to cause hormonal disruption, thus affecting growth in adolescents and fertility in grown ups. Polycyclic musks present in some fragrances are known to disrupt growth and fertility in animal studies.

There is along list of potentially harmful chemicals present in perfumes. Some of them have been linked to cancer as well. Not only physical health, but mental health is also deranged due to perfumes. Individuals susceptible to migraine are known to develop attacks of headache following exposure to strong smells. Studies have linked irritability and depression to use of strong perfumes. Moreover the harmful health effects of perfumes persist on the body, even when the smell has faded away.

It is not only the user of the perfume, but those around him/her, who can develop the side effects due to exposure to the perfume. A person who bathes regularly, wears clean clothes, keeps good oral and body hygiene, never smells bad and really does not need a perfume.

***

My eyes are always red

I am in my mid-30s. I am worried because my eyes are always ‘red’ yet I am not sick or feeling any irritation. What could be the underlying cause and how can I address this?

Monique

--

Dear Monique,

The most common underlying cause for "red”, eyes is allergy. Allergy can be due to some cosmetic product applied over face or hair or used in eyes. It can also be caused by dust, fumes or even hot sun, to which one is exposed in his/her daily work.

If there is minor derangement in vision, a person tends to rub his eyes frequently to see better. This rubbing and also the chronic infection introduced by it can cause redness of eyes. This problem of eye strain comes commonly after using computers for a long time continuously. Eye fatigue caused by watching television or using smart phones for long hours also causes a,’red”, eye.

Those who use contact lenses can have, ‘red eyes”, due to chronic irritation caused by the contact lenses. Overuse of contact lenses, not removing them while sleeping is also responsible for, "red eyes”. The risk is more if they are not fitted properly or not kept clean enough. Rarely one may have allergy from the material of contact lenses being used causing redness.

Chronic infection/inflammation of any layer of the eye manifests as redness, along with itching,pain, watery or mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, any one or more of these symptoms. Glaucoma is a condition, where the pressure of fluid within the eyes is raised causing intense pain and redness. A dry eye can also become red due to irritation.

At times because of some trauma or while doing any heavy work, small blood vessels of the eyes can rupture, causing redness over affected part. One may get a,”red”, eye after a swim or shower due to irritation caused by soap or chlorine present in swimming pool.

Using dark glasses to prevent exposure to dust or fumes, can help in preventing redness of eyes. Avoid working on computers or texting on mobiles for long hours continuously. Good hygiene of the eyes and contact lenses is also useful in preventing redness. If using contact lenses, ensure they fit well, are kept clean, removed after few hours of use and while sleeping. It is a good idea to get the eye sight also tested. In case of suspected allergy or dryness of the eyes, suitable eye drops can help. Infection would need antibiotic eye drops.

***

I wake up feeling nauseated

Most mornings I wake up feeling nauseated. So when I sneeze or cough, at times my spittle and mucous comes with blood stains. What could be the matter and how do I deal with it?

Alice

--

Dear Alice,

The most common cause for feeling nauseous in the mornings is dyspepsia. This can occur due to taking alcohol or coffee in the night before, taking a heavy meal, very spicy meal, or eating very late in the night. Alcohol and coffee are known risk factors for causing dyspepsia or indigestion. If one takes a heavy meal, it may be inadequately digested in the morning causing dyspepsia. Similarly when one eats very late in the evening and goes to sleep after that, the digestive system does not find enough time to digest it adequately. In such cases, nausea can be accompanied by burning pain in chest, sense of bloating of stomach, bilious vomiting, e.t.c. symptoms. If the bowels are not cleared in the morning, it can also cause nausea. Drugs like pain killers of NSAID group(non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, e.t.c), taken in evening before can cause nausea as adverse effect.

Regarding the traces of blood in spittle and mucous, if there is no fever, pain, loss of appetite or loss of weight, blood is not much in quantity, there is nothing to worry. Most likely it could be due to dryness of the inner lining of nose or throat. Allergy to something around could also cause chronic inflammation of the nose and throat, causing bleeding from the smallest blood vessels of nose and throat. Chronic mild infection in gums and or teeth due to poor oral hygiene can also give rise to minute bleeding.

It is advisable to drink more water. That will keep the body well hydrated, prevent dryness in nose and throat, thus help in stopping the minor bleeding. Adequate amount of water consumed will also aid in digestion and prevent nausea in morning. It would also prevent constipation, thus removing one cause for nausea in morning. Inner side of nose can be lubricated by applying small amounts of Vaseline, glycerine, e.t.c., lubricant with a clean finger. Improving oral hygiene will also help cure this problem.

Avoid taking alcohol or coffee before sleeping. Evening meals should not be heavy or very hot and spicy, preferably should be taken at least 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours before sleeping. Eating a diet containing adequate amount of fiber would also be helpful.

***

Can I live on an exclusively vegetarian diet?

I am aged 40 but overweight. I have been advised to revise my feeding habits and I am wondering if there is any harm on living on an exclusively vegetarian diet?

Anne

--

Dear Anne,

An exclusively vegetarian diet has many advantages. It is rich in fiber, thus promoting good digestion of food consumed. It is more adapted to physiology of human digestive system, therefore more easily processed and assimilated, providing essential nutrients and micronutrients to the body. Being low in calories it prevents obesity. Vegetarian diet also prevents high blood lipid levels, therefore carries lower risk of high blood pressure and heart diseases.

Meat is said to be high in vitamin B12 (cobalamin), a vitamin necessary for manufacturing blood and for health of brain and nervous system. But milk, yoghurt and cheese are some vegetarian products, which when taken regularly fulfill the need of the body. At times grains like rice and soya are fortified with vitamin B12.

A word of caution here, a vegetarian diet itself does not ensure weight reduction. Consideration of the type of diet, how it is cooked is also important. For example something like white sugar, though not a meat product has no health benefits and adds to calories. Similarly deep fried substances used frequently like French fries will augment weight instead of reducing it.