Health Facts by Dr Pasindu

Fasting Forward: Unveiling the Mental Ups and Downs of Intermittent Fasting As a doctor, I witness the fascinating dance between dietary choices and mental well-being.  Today, we waltz with a rising star in the health world – intermittent fasting (IF). While its physical benefits are often touted, its impact on our minds remains a complex tango of possibilities.  So, let's swing open the doors of understanding and explore both the exhilarating highs and the potential dips in mental health that can accompany IF. The Mindful Munch: Imagine pressing the pause button on your digestive system, giving your body a break from constant food processing. This is the essence of IF, where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting.  But beyond the physical realm, this pause can trigger surprising shifts in our mental landscape. The Sunny Side Up: Mental Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting When done right, IF can be a mental health booster, offering: * **Enhanced Clarity:**  Research su

Tomorrow's Triumph Begins Tonight: A Doctor's Guide to Prepping for Peak Performance As a doctor, I often witness the ripple effect of poor planning. Missed appointments, rushed decisions, and unfulfilled goals - these are often symptoms of a larger ailment: the neglect of the crucial preparation time - tonight. Just like a marathon runner meticulously preparing the night before, planning your tomorrow lays the foundation for a day of peak performance, both physically and mentally.  It's like planting the seeds of success in the fertile soil of the present, ensuring a bountiful harvest of well-being and productivity come sunrise. So, why is this pre-sleep planning so crucial? Here's the prescription: **1. The Power of Foresight:**  By mapping out your tomorrow, you anticipate challenges and opportunities. From packing a healthy lunch to scheduling that important meeting, planning equips you with the tools to navigate your day with purpose and ease. **2. Calming the Anxi

When Love Meets Disorder: A Doctor's Guide to Navigating Your Partner's traits of Antisocial Personality Disorder  As a doctor, I witness the intricate tapestry of human relationships, its joys and its unraveling threads.  Today, I want to address a delicate strand within this tapestry – the complex dynamic when a partner exhibits traits of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).  Knowing how to navigate this terrain requires both understanding and, above all, self-protection. Antisocial personality disorder, often characterized by disregard for social norms, impulsivity, and a lack of empathy, can present significant challenges in a relationship. Recognizing these traits is crucial to safeguarding your own well-being and making informed decisions about the future of your bond. But before we delve into specific signs, remember this:  ***diagnosis is not within the realm of a casual relationship**.  Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose ASPD.  However, you can

The Alcohol Labyrinth: Navigating the Impact on Your Brain and Mental Health As a doctor, I see the intricate connection between our physical and mental well-being. Today, I want to illuminate a particularly impactful link – the one between alcohol consumption and your mental health.  While a celebratory drink or unwinding after a long day might seem harmless, the reality is, alcohol casts a complex shadow on our emotional landscape, shaping not just our thoughts, but the very structure of our brains. Let's embark on a journey through the alcohol labyrinth, understanding its influence on your brain and mental health, and uncovering the paths to a brighter, healthier life: Alcohol's Neurochemical Dance: Alcohol isn't merely a liquid; it's a potent psychoactive drug that disrupts the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in your brain.  It primarily targets a neurotransmitter called GABA, which has a calming effect. By increasing GABA activity, alcohol initially creates a

When Words Sting Like Bullets: A Doctor's Guide to Navigating Verbal Abuse As a doctor, I witness the physical wounds of accidents and illnesses, but also the invisible scars of verbal abuse. Words, though seemingly intangible, can leave deep lacerations on our self-esteem, leaving us feeling bruised, humiliated, and often unsure of how to react.  Today, I want to equip you with tools to navigate this emotionally charged terrain, to transform the sting of verbal abuse into a call for inner strength and resilience. Verbal insults are, unfortunately, a part of life's unscripted play. Whether from a disgruntled stranger, a frustrated colleague, or even someone close to you, they can catch us off guard, triggering a storm of emotions – anger, hurt, defensiveness.  But remember, your reaction is not pre-ordained. You have the power to choose how you engage with these assaults on your dignity. So, when a verbal bullet pierces your emotional armor, here are some practical tips to navi

  Unplugging for Health: Understanding the Effects of Smartphone Overuse on Your Brain and Your Life As a doctor, I witness the intricate tapestry of human health, where the threads of physical and mental well-being are inextricably woven.  Today, I want to focus on a thread gaining in prominence – the thread woven by our constant companion, the smartphone.  While these devices offer undeniable convenience and connection, their overuse can cast a subtle shadow on our brain health and overall well-being.  So, let's shed light on the adverse effects of excessive smartphone use and equip you with practical tips to reclaim control and safeguard your mental health. The Brain under Digital Siege: Our brains are not wired for the constant barrage of notifications, pings, and scrolling demands that smartphones impose.  This digital deluge can trigger several adverse effects: * **Attention Deficit:**  The constant stream of stimuli disrupts our focus, making it harder to concentrate on task