“13 Dehydration Symptoms Everyone Should Know”

Dehydration does more than just make you thirsty—it can actually be quite dangerous to your health. Here's how to know when your body is telling you to drink more water, so that you don't let it get to the later stages of dehydration.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE DEHYDRATED? In general, dehydration occurs when your body loses too much fluid, or more fluid than it's taking in, according to the US National Library of Medicine's resource MedlinePlus. You can become dehydrated for a number of reasons, but the main culprits include: diarrhea, vomiting, sweating too much, urinating too much, having a fever, or (simply) not drinking enough. And it doesn't take much to become dehydrated: if you lose just 1.5% of the water in your body, you've reached the tipping point of dehydration. While dehydration often shows up as the standard thirsty feeling, the later stages of the condition can actually lead to a loss of consciousness, Jazmine Sutton-Oliver, MD, who works in hospital medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, tells Health. Here's what to know about common dehydration symptoms, including feeling thirsty and passing out—and all the signs in between.

BAD BREATH: Notice your breath smelling the opposite of minty fresh? It could be because you haven't drank enough water lately, Marshall Young, DDS, a dentist in Newport Beach, California, tells Health. "Saliva has important antibacterial properties," he says. "When dehydrated, the decreased saliva in the mouth allows bacteria to thrive, resulting in bad breath." Also, while we're talking about your mouth, dehydration can cause it to feel dry, for obvious reasons. So drink up for your own sake—and for the people around you, too.

SUGAR CRAVINGS: Dehydration can mask itself as hunger, or more specifically as sugar cravings. This is more likely to happen if you've been exercising, Amy Goodson, RD, a sports dietitian, tells Health. "When you exercise in a dehydrated state, you use glycogen, or stored carbohydrates, at a faster rate, thus diminishing your stores more quickly." So once you finish exercising, you will likely crave carbs (aka sugar) to help you replenish those glycogen levels. Pro tip: Before reaching for a chocolate bar, drink a tall glass of water and wait five minutes. You might not be as hungry as you think. (After that, if you're still craving something sweet, go ahead and have it.)

DRY SKIN: Your skin will let you know if you haven't been drinking enough water, Anne Marie Tremaine, MD, a dermatologist at Skin Wellness Physicians in Naples and Marco Island, Florida, tells Health. Dehydrated skin will feel tight and appear dull when you look in the mirror. You may even notice more exaggerated wrinkles or darker-than-usual under eye circles. A quick test if you're feeling less than hydrated: Pinch your cheek; if it wrinkles with gentle pressure instead of holding its shape, it's begging you for water. For smooth, moisture-rich skin, Dr. Tremaine also suggests keeping showers short (less than five minutes) and using only lukewarm water, as hot water can dry your skin out even more.

TIREDNESS: That mid-afternoon slump may have more to do with dehydration than you think. A number of the symptoms of dehydration can make you feel sleepy, Luga Podesta, MD, a sports medicine specialist at Bluetail Medical Group in Naples, Florida, tells Health. Physical tasks may also feel more difficult and tiring because your muscles are lacking H2O, which is necessary for them to function properly.

IRRITABILITY: If you're feeling cranky, drink a glass of water and your mood may change. "Neurological effects of dehydration can cause irritability," Dr. Podesta says. A small 2011 study published in the Journal of Nutrition, tested mood and concentration in 25 young women who were either given enough fluids to remain properly hydrated, or who became mildly dehydrated by taking diuretics and exercising. The dehydrated women—who were at a hydration level that was just 1% lower than optimal—reported headaches, loss of focus, and irritability.

CHILLS: It may seem counterintuitive, but dehydration can bring on chills. "This occurs because your body starts to limit blood flow to the skin," Dr. Podesta says. In addition, water holds heat, so if you become hydrated it can be more difficult to regulate your body temperature, which can make you get chilly faster, even when you're not in a cold environment.

MUSCLE CRAMPS: When your body isn't getting enough water, it slows down blood circulation, which can make your muscles cramp up, Ray Casciari, MD, a pulmonologist in Orange, California, tells Health. "The body will protect its vital organs, so it shifts fluid away from muscles and anything that's not vital," he says. Changes in sodium and potassium through sweat loss can also contribute to cramping. Cramps can be extremely painful and make muscles feel harder to the touch.

LIGHTHEADEDNESS AND CONFUSION: Along with your muscles, your brain also gets less blood circulation when you're low on water, which can make you dizzy, Dr. Casciari says—and this can constitute a situation when dehydration can warrant medical attention. When a person becomes so dehydrated that they're taken to the emergency room, doctors usually try to get water back into their body very quickly, Dr. Sutton-Oliver explains. "We would give them a liter over an hour" via an IV, she says.

HEADACHE: Dehydration can cause headaches in a couple of different ways. "Lack of water affects your body's serotonin levels, which can give you headaches," Dr. Casciari says. In addition, small blood vessels in the brain respond quickly to hydration levels (which is also the culprit behind those nasty hangover headaches), leading to dull aches and even full-blown migraines. Try downing a glass or two of water the next time you have a headache and you may find it disappears. You could also eat fruit, which contains a lot of water, Dr. Casciari suggests.

CONSTIPATION: Your body needs water to keep things moving through your colon. When you're not getting enough H2O, your body compensates by withdrawing more fluid from stool, making it harder and more difficult to pass. That said, it's worth noting that drinking more water when you're already properly hydrated won't necessarily relieve constipation caused by other factors, like the medications you're taking, medical conditions, or a lack of fiber in your diet.

DARK-COLORED URINE: One telltale sign of dehydration is dark yellow urine. "A lot of people will notice their urine starts to get concentrated or dark in color," Dr. Sutton-Oliver says. When you're dehydrated, your kidneys, which filter waste, tell your body to retain water. That means you'll have less water in your urine, causing it to become more concentrated with waste products and, therefore, darker. If you notice your urine is darker than usual, reach for your water bottle.

EXCESSIVE THIRST: It might seem obvious, but being thirsty is a big hint that you're not as hydrated as you should be, Dr. Sutton-Oliver says. When you get dehydrated, you'll naturally be thirsty, so listen to your body's signals and rehydrate until you've quenched your thirst.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE: While not drinking enough water can cause a plethora of symptoms, one in particular, low blood pressure, can be especially dangerous, Eric Goldberg, MD, an internal medicine physician at NYU Langone tells Health. But low blood pressure can manifest in a few different ways, including nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision, so it's important to be aware of those, as many of us don't have blood pressure cuffs at home. Low blood pressure can be especially dangerous, as it means your blood isn't getting properly sent to critical organs, including your brain, Dr. Goldberg adds. Certain blood pressure medications act as diuretics, which make the body urinate fluid out of it much faster. People who take these medications are more susceptible to becoming dehydrated, per Dr. Goldberg. The good news? "Most people can fix that simply by drinking water," he explains.

BY: Maggie O’Neill and Linda Melone, Updated June 17, 2020, Health Magazine

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Health Magazine, Health Magazine employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Health Magazine, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk. 

“12 Ways to Get Rid of a Headache, Besides Taking Ibuprofen”

When you get a headache, you usually pop an ibuprofen, right? While those non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are typically the first route to getting rid of the pain in your head, they're (luckily) not the only option. If your headaches are persistent or other medications just aren't cutting it, here are some other headache treatments you can consider.

FIRST: WHAT EXACTLY IS A HEADACHE? Headaches are actually the most common form of pain, according to the US National Library of Medicine. But there are different types of headaches: Tension headaches, for example, are the most common type of headache, and are due to tightness in your shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw. This type of pain is often brought on by stress, depression, or anxiety. Other types of headaches include migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches—all of which can usually be remedied by lifestyle changes or pain relievers. But what if your typical modes of treatment aren't working anymore—or you just want to try something different? Here are 12 ways to help get rid of head pain, without popping a pill.

BIOFEEDBACK: Biofeedback uses electronic sensors to monitor body functions such as muscle tension, skin temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Data are fed back to the patient through sounds or computer images. The goal is to teach people how to control bodily responses—easing tight muscles, for example—to prevent headache pain. Studies show biofeedback could be effective for migraine and tension-type headache. An analysis published in Headache suggests behavioral therapies, such as biofeedback, are more cost-effective over time than prescription drugs.

ACUPUNCTURE: In acupuncture, thin needles are inserted under the skin to realign the flow of energy, or qi, in the body. In general, treatments run $60 to $120 per session, according to Acufinder.com, an acupuncture referral service. An expert analysis, known as a Cochrane review, found acupuncture could help prevent acute migraines as well as drug treatments do and with fewer adverse side effects. Evidence also suggests that acupuncture could help people with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches, they say.

MASSAGE: For temporary relief, try rubbing your temples or getting a neck, back, head, or shoulder massage. In a small study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, people with migraines who had six weekly massage sessions had less frequent migraines and better sleep during the massage weeks and the three following weeks than a control group.



STRETCHING: Headache-relieving stretches can get at muscle tension that contributes to pain. Add them to your workout or use them when a headache looms. Try these three: neck range of motion (chin forward, upward, and toward each shoulder); shoulder shrugs (shrug up, up and forward, and up and back); and neck isometrics (press palm into forehead and hold; press hand on each side of the head). Stretch twice a day for 20 minutes per session. Hold the stretch for five seconds, relax for five seconds, and repeat each stretch three to five times.



MEDITATION: Various meditation techniques can be used to focus attention and quiet the mind from distractions such as chronic pain. At this point, there is little data on the effect of meditation on migraines. Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, in Baltimore, are involved in a clinical trial that will try to determine if Vipassana—an ancient Indian meditation technique that focuses on mind-body connectedness—can reduce migraine frequency and severity and improve overall quality of life. One small study of people with migraines in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that spiritual meditation reduced headache frequency and improved pain tolerance more than secular meditation and muscle relaxation.



YOGA: Could striking a camel pose ease your aching head? Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to boost relaxation and balance the mind, body, and spirit, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In a small study in Headache, two groups of migraine patients were randomly assigned to three months of yoga therapy or self care. Compared with the control group, the yoga participants had less frequent and less painful attacks, as well as less anxiety.



RELAXATION EXERCISES: Deep breathing, relaxing to music, or using mental imagery can help people unwind and possibly help with headaches too. Additional research is needed, however. A study of 90 people with tension headaches found that relaxation training improved their sleep more than acupuncture. Edmund Messina, MD, medical director of the Michigan Headache Clinic, in East Lansing, teaches a 20-minute muscle-relaxation technique. Patients lie still, breathe in and out slowly, and use a mantra to keep the mind from wandering. They then contract and relax various muscle groups, working from toes to head. "The idea is to consciously tense and relax your muscle groups," Dr. Messina says.



HEAT AND COLD: Anyone can use this no-risk headache therapy—even pregnant women. To alleviate neck tightness, apply heat to the back of the neck, Dr. Messina says. For a pulsating headache, however, skip the heat and try icing the temples. The artery that supplies blood to the dura (the lining of the brain) sits behind the thin bone at the temple, Dr. Messina explains. "That dura gets mighty angry and inflamed when you're having a migraine," he says. Lowering the temperature of the blood passing through that area "seems to relieve some of the throbbing."



AVOID NITRATES AND NITRITES: Nitrites and nitrates in processed meats and monosodium glutamate (MSG) used in foods as a flavor enhancer have been linked to migraines. Some heart medicines also contain nitrate. Caffeine, alcohol, phenylethylamine (found in chocolate and cheese), tyramine (found in nuts and fermented meats, cheeses, and soy), and aspartame (in many artificially sweetened foods) are headache triggers for some. Some doctors support taking riboflavin (vitamin B2), magnesium, and coenzyme Q10, among other supplements, as part of a headache-relief strategy. But the evidence is scarce on their effectiveness, and they do carry risks of side effects.



BOTOX: Better known as a wrinkle-reducer, Botox injections are FDA-approved for treating adults with chronic migraines. Multiple injections are given around the head and neck every 12 weeks. Some insurance companies cover the injections for people who have failed to get relief from other migraine medicines. Two large studies funded by Allergan, the maker of Botox, show reductions in the frequency of headaches. But groups that received placebo injections showed improvement too. Skeptics continue to question the therapy's value. "Botox produces euphoria in those who bill for it, but I've never seen it work," Dr. Messina says.

TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION: Delivering magnetic pulses to the brain may become a useful therapy for zapping migraines, research suggests. A recent study found that when patients treated a migraine with transcranial magnetic stimulation, they got better relief than those who treated their pain with a placebo device. This noninvasive treatment takes one or two hours and is conducted in a clinic by placing an electromagnetic coil near the head to deliver the pulses. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, however, is still considered an experimental therapy for treating migraines.

ELECTRODE IMPLANTS: People with intractable headaches may one day rely on electrodes implanted in the neck or brain to provide pain relief. One such therapy, called occipital nerve stimulation, appears promising in the treatment of cluster headaches and migraines, studies show, although larger studies are needed. In this treatment, an electrode is surgically implanted at the base of the skull, near the occipital nerve. A power source is also implanted (near the collar bone or elsewhere in the body) to deliver electrical impulses via a wire to the electrode.



By: Karen Pallarito



Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)



The contents of the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Health Magazine, Health Magazine employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Health Magazine, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk. 

"14 Things People With Migraines Wish You Knew"

 

What is a migraine? It's much more than just a headache!

AN INVISIBLE CONDITION: From the outside, migraines can be somewhat of a mystery. You know the pain can be unbearable and debilitating, but it's hard to understand how people who get migraines really feel. And if you've ever had one of these painful headaches, you can tell people just how excruciating they can be—physically. But it's hard to communicate the psychological challenges that go along with a condition that can strike with or without warning. So what do people really wish migraine-free people knew? We asked five women with frequent migraines, and Mia Minen, MD, a neurologist and director of headache services at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City, to give us the real deal on these mother-headaches.

IT’S NOT ‘JUST A HEADACHE’: This was No. 1 on the list that we heard from people who get migraines. While most people have had a headache at some point, not everyone has had a migraine. “I’m actually happy when I get ‘just a headache,’” says Kerilyn Whitehead, who has been dealing with migraines for 13 years. Migraine-associated head pain is severe, can be on one or both sides of the head, and is usually characterized by an intense throbbing. Nausea, vomiting, extreme light and sound sensitivity, blurred vision, and more can also accompany them. “My worst migraines come with light and sound sensitivity, where I can’t have my eyes open because it will hurt, and talking takes a huge amount of effort,” says Jessica Feighan, who has had migraines for 18 years.

THEY CAN BE TRULY DISABLING: According to a 2013 study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, migraines are the seventh most disabling disease in the world. In fact, there is a metric that doctors use to measure just how much migraines impact a person’s life, says Dr. Minen. The Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS) takes into account the number of days missed from work or school, the loss of time with family, friends or at social events, and the inability to do household chores and other daily tasks. 

MIGRAINES LAST LONGER THAN HEADACHES: Migraine pain can last for extended periods of time—even 3 days or more. The range can be from 4 to 72 hours (or longer) if untreated. Headaches, on the other hand, have fewer symptoms, are easier to treat, and subside more quickly. Tension-type headaches are the most common type, and are caused by tightness in the muscles in the face, neck, and shoulders, usually as a result of stress, anxiety, or depression. Most non-migraine headaches respond to lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.

THERE’S MORE THAN ONE KIND OF MIGRAINE: There are two major types of migraine: migraine with aura and migraine without aura. An aura is a visual or other neurological disturbance that occurs within an hour of an attack (think flashing lights, spots, or lines), although sometimes people can have the aura without a migraine. Other harbingers can include loss of vision, difficulty speaking, numbness, or muscle weakness. These can also be signs of stroke so check with your doctor if you ever have these symptoms. Other types of migraines include chronic or menstrual migraines. If you have migraines 15 days out of the month, for three months or more, you are considered to have chronic migraine. Women with menstrual migraines have hormone-triggered head pain during or just before their monthly period.

LIFESTYLE FACTORS CAN TRIGGER MIGRAINES: While it’s difficult to avoid all migraine triggers, it’s important for people to try to keep their schedules as consistent as possible, says Dr. Minen. Changes in wake-sleep patterns and stress levels can be a trigger. As can sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, or changes in the weather or barometric pressure, she says. Missing a meal or fasting can also result in a migraine. 

FOODS CAN ALSO TRIGGER THEM: Unfortunately, certain foods can trigger a migraine attack too. Although it's not true for everyone, many people say alcohol, chocolate, processed foods, and food additives such as artificial sweeteners and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are a problem. Specific food triggers can be difficult to identify, which is why doctors stress the importance of keeping a headache diary. People who are aware of their triggers may find it difficult to eat out at restaurants or attend social events where it might be difficult to stick to their diet. “I always monitor food and caffeine intake,” says Lehigh Garrick who has had migraines for 10 years. “I make sure I keep caffeine consistent and eat full meals.”

YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING ‘RIGHT’ AND STILL GET MIGRAINES: Even people who make lifestyle changes, take preventative and emergency medication, and avoid their triggers can still struggle with migraines. “Although myself and my doctors have done a better job of trying to prevent my migraines, you never know when a migraine could come on,” says Stephanie Petrello, who has had chronic migraines for 10 years. Preventive measure can help reduce the frequency of attacks and make symptoms more manageable, but it’s not a perfect science. 

MIGRAINES CAN GO HAND-IN-HAND WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES: “Oftentimes, patients of migraines can be concerned that they’re going to get a migraine attack," says Dr. Minen. "And this can cause anxiety because patients are so aware of how disabling it can be.” Another common problem is depression, she says. Treatments that can be effective in treating anxiety and depression, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can be used to help treat migraines as well.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DOESN’T NECESSARILY MAKE IT BETTER: Exercise may help ease the pain of some types of headaches because it relieves tension and can boost pain-relieving endorphins. But that's not true for people experiencing a migraine. The nausea alone can make rapid movement impossible, and sensory stimuli (sunlight, loud noises at gyms, a smelly neighbor) can be unbearable. Most often, the only way to deal with an attack is to retreat to a dark, cool room that is as quiet as possible. As a preventive measure, though, regular exercise and a healthy diet may be lifestyle factors that may help reduce the risk of attacks overall.

THERE ARE FOUR MAIN PHASES TO A MIGRAINE: A migraine attack can have four stages—PRODROME, which occurs about a day before an attack with symptoms such as food cravings, mood changes, or frequent urination; AURA, the visual, sensory, or speech disruptions that can happen within an hour of an attack; HEADACHE, which are symptoms such as head pain and nausea; and POSTDROME, which is extreme fatigue and grogginess that can linger after the pain has receded. Some people refer to the last stage as a “migraine hangover, "and it can take a day or more to feel normal again.

MIGRAINES CAN BE MENTALLY EXHAUSTING: The four migraine stages can wreak havoc on a person's mental and physical well-being. Auras can be scary on their own, but the stress is amplified by the fact that they signal an impending attack. And even after the headache is over, it's not really over. The physical pain of the attack segues into the postdrome symptoms of fatigue and grogginess. “Sometimes I feel exhausted because the pain is so intense,” says Feighan. “And sometimes I have a hard time concentrating or focusing.”

PEOPLE WITH MIGRAINES CAN LOOK PERFECTLY HEALTHY: Migraines affect 12% of the U.S. population, and are three times more common in women than men. Migraines are highly disruptive, affecting people mentally and physically, as well as socially and professionally. There is a lot of stigma attached to migraine, and many people feel misunderstood because it seems “invisible” to others. “A lot of the public doesn’t understand that migraine is a debilitating condition, it’s not just a headache,” says Dr. Minen. 

THEY CAN AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO WORK OR GO TO SCHOOL: It can be frustrating when people don't understand why a person with a migraine has to leave work or school to deal with an attack. “There were times that I would have to skip class or call out of my job,” says Janine Weiburg, who has had migraines for almost 10 years. “It is hard to explain to your professor or boss that it is more than just a headache.” Weiburg also finds that she has difficulty focusing during a migraine, which then affects her performance and projects. 

SOCIAL EVENTS—EVEN IMPORTANT ONES—CAN BE INTERRUPTED: One reason people with migraines might be more prone to anxiety and depression? Migraines can make it impossible to attend (or stay at) life events, even important ones. Feighan has missed dozens of events due to her migraines, from weddings to family get-togethers. "I’ve had to leave places early or abruptly,” she says. “In all of those instances and in many more, I’ve found myself curled up into a ball in the front seat of a car, or laying across the back seat, with my hands over my eyes, trying to sleep off the pain.” 

EVEN SIMPLE TASKS CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE: If the only relief comes in the form of a dark, quiet room, it can be difficult to find a safe place as quickly as you need it. Sometimes, people have to deal with their migraines and go about their day until they can find relief. “There were times I couldn’t even drive home because the street lights and headlights of other cars would blind me when I had a migraine,” says Weiburg. 

Alison Mango, Health, September 01, 2016

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow 

 

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Health Magazine, Health Magazine employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Health Magazine, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.