5 Things Your Body Is Trying to Tell You Right Now
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Eyelid Twitches
Translation: The exact cause of a muscle spasm in the eyelid remains a mystery, but doctors point to the holy trinity of stress, fatigue, and caffeine.
Remedy: Fewer mugs of coffee, a bit more sleep, and less time spent strapped to your desk chair should relieve the tic in a day or two.
See a doctor if...other parts of your face start twitching. A persistent facial tic may be a symptom of a calcium deficiency or a neurological condition like Parkinson's.
Jaw Popping
Translation: When you stretch a joint, small bubbles of gas are released, which may result in a snap, crackle, or pop. If that sound emanates from your jaw, though, it could be that you're grinding your teeth at night, which can lead to stiff jaw muscles and displacement of the disk in your temporomandibular joint—conditions known as TMJ disorders (TMD).
Remedy: Occasionally sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies isn't cause for alarm. But if you have persistent popping, you might want to try a mouth guard to stop night grinding.
See a doctor if...the noise is accompanied by reduction in mobility or persistent tenderness. A variety of treatments (from muscle relaxants to cognitive behavioral therapy) have been used to manage TMD.
Light-Headedness After Standing Up
Translation: When you stand up after sitting or lying down for a period of time, blood can pool in your lower extremities, and if your brain is momentarily deprived of regular blood flow as your circulation returns to normal, you'll feel a little dizzy. Low blood pressure can increase your odds of wooziness; it may be triggered by dehydration, which lowers blood volume, or high temperatures, which prompt your blood vessels to dilate. "If you're a little dehydrated and standing in a stuffy room, light-headedness is not at all uncommon," says Susan Joy, MD, director of women's sports health at the Cleveland Clinic.
Remedy: Drink plenty of water and stand up slowly, especially in warm environments. If you feel dizzy, sit down until you recover, and in the case of a more severe spell, lie down with your feet elevated above your heart.
See a doctor if...light-headedness occurs every time you stand up and persists for more than a day. Certain over-the-counter medications can cause mild dehydration, Joy points out; tell your physician about any drugs you take.
More Health Advice
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.
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