Spitting in Public Spreads Disease
When individuals suffer from nasal, throat, bronchial, or lung diseases, they often experience dry coughs or produce phlegm. Many people indiscriminately spit phlegm anywhere, such as on the road, against walls, in meeting rooms, on floors, or in hospitals. Flies land on the phlegm and then onto food and utensils, transmitting gastrointestinal diseases. Dry phlegm, mixed with dust, spreads bacteria and viruses everywhere, especially tuberculosis bacteria, posing a significant danger of disease transmission within the community.
Conversely, some individuals have a habit of swallowing phlegm, which can easily lead to gastrointestinal ailments.
Using Toothpicks Can Cause Gum Recession and Enamel Damage
Many people have the habit of using sharp or thick toothpicks to poke between their teeth or into cavities, leading to enamel damage. The sharp edges of the toothpick can injure the gums, causing gum recession and inflammation around the tooth roots. Probing with a toothpick can widen the gaps between teeth, resulting in tooth loss. Therefore, one should only clean the surfaces of the teeth or use a toothbrush for oral hygiene.
Ear Cleaning Can Lead to Hearing Loss
Some individuals use fingernails, toothpicks, matches, or even twigs to clean their ears. These items are often sharp and harbor bacteria, making them likely to scratch the skin and cause outer ear infections. In some cases, using a sharp object can puncture the eardrum, leading to middle ear infections and resulting in hearing loss. It is advisable to use a cotton swab dampened with water to clean the ear after bathing. If a foreign object falls into the ear, tilt the head to let it out; if it does not come out, one should consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist for timely treatment.
Nose Picking Can Lead to Noseboils
Sharp fingernails can scratch the nasal mucosa. Removing hair from follicles can cause inflammation or create boils within the nasal septum, potentially leading to dangerous bloodstream infections. For nasal hair, it is better to trim it with scissors rather than plucking. One should not use fingers to pick the nose; instead, use a clean cloth or cotton swab to gently clean the inside of the nasal passages.
Rubbing Eyes Can Scratch the Cornea
Dirty hands can introduce bacteria into the eyes, causing conjunctivitis. Prolonged infections can lead to cloudiness, and the tear duct system may become blocked. If a grain of sand gets into the eye and one rubs it, the sand can scratch the cornea, causing a pus-filled infection and leaving corneal scars, which may lead to reduced vision or blindness. If a foreign object enters the eye, one should immerse it in a bowl of clean water and blink several times to help flush it out. If discomfort persists, it is essential to seek medical attention rather than rubbing the eye.
Overeating
Eating is a necessary activity to provide nutrients for the body; however, excessive consumption can lead to health issues. Overindulging in fatty and rich foods can cause bloating, indigestion, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Consuming large amounts of animal protein and organ meats can lead to gout.
Eating animal fats can increase blood cholesterol levels, leading to atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of coronary artery disease. Older adults consuming high amounts of sugar may overwork the pancreas, leading to diabetes. Excessive intake of acidic foods and strong stimulants can cause gastric ulcers, while high salt intake can lead to hypertension.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol in beverages can damage liver cells, leading to cirrhosis. Alcohol can harden arteries, stimulate nerves, cause arrhythmias, and raise blood pressure, resulting in strokes. Beer and alcohol irritate the gastric mucosa, promoting gastric and duodenal inflammation. Long-term alcohol addiction can lead to deteriorating mental health, reduced productivity, and increased risk of workplace accidents.
Eating Raw or Undercooked Dishes Increases Parasitic Infections
Raw shrimp, crab, and fish found in water can be intermediate hosts for liver fluke larvae and lung flukes. Consuming undercooked food or raw dishes can introduce live larvae, leading to liver and lung fluke diseases. Rare meat, raw salads, and raw blood dishes may still harbor bacteria and viruses that cause intestinal diseases. Therefore, one must be vigilant about consuming raw dishes and rare meats.
Smoking
Research has definitively shown that tobacco contains 60 substances that cause various diseases, including gum disease, throat inflammation, bronchitis, gastric ulcers, lung cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, and coronary artery disease. Family members of smokers are also at risk of these diseases, similar to smokers. Therefore, smokers should gradually quit smoking.
Dr. DAO KY HUNG, Health & Life
