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Are you a workaholic?

The secret is out.

It is in the newspapers. It is on the radio. It is on television. Now every Canadian knows. The question is: what can we do about it?

Since it is not a secret anymore, do you know what I am talking about?

Just in case you missed the big news then let me tell you what it is all about. It is about you and your work habit.

Recently released data collected in 2005 by Statistics Canada says, one in three Canadian is a workaholic. Well, how would you define a workaholic? A workaholic is an individual who is addicted to working, spend excessive hours on the job or who becomes anxious when he or she is away from the office.

Are you one of them?

If you are then you are a kind of person who is rushed, feels trapped in a daily routine, always worried that you are not spending enough time with your family and consequently you have trouble sleeping. Sounds like you feel guilty and you are depressed. Have you seen a good doctor lately?

Is this information something new? No. Statscan says people who describe themselves as workaholics has not changed since this information was first collected 15 years ago. So, how does this information help us define our work habit in 2007?

These days almost everybody has to put in long hours to make a decent living whether you are addicted to your work or not. You have to pay your bills, find a decent place to live and pay the inflated rent, buy expensive gas for your car in a land full of oil, pay premium dollars to have a hot shower and turn on the lights in a land which boasts the “cheapest” utility rates. Would you call yourself a workaholic?

According to Statscan findings, if you are a self-professed workaholic then:
-usually you work 50 or more hours a week
-your general state of their health was fair or poor
-you have trouble sleeping
-you have problems using your time effectively
-you are unable to accomplish what you set out to do at the beginning of the day
-you do not have time for fun
-you are more dissatisfied with your work/life balance than other employees
-you are probably in the management and trades
-if you are a professional then you simply accept that working long hours is an integral part of your professional role

The message is if you are a workaholic then you are never going to be happy. “They’ve bought the BMW, and they have the $3 million Mill Valley house. And they still wake up in the morning and say, ‘I don’t feel good about myself’,” says Stephen Goldbart, psychologist and cofounder of the Money, Meaning and Choices Institute.

So, what is the solution?

One has to step back and do a life review. Identify the problems and consider what changes are needed to make life more pleasurable and fulfilling. We have to balance different roles we play in life. To balance these different roles is a real challenge. Lack of balance is one of the most frequent problems people face in their lives.

Start by simplifying life. Make some choices and make some sacrifices. Remember, in trying to have everything all the time, it may just end up killing us! What are we good for when we are underground?

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

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Dr. B talks about Hemorrhoids

This is my third video blog!

Hemorrhoids are a problem which I deal with in my office.

I hope you enjoyed this video! Comments may be left by clicking on the video above and leaving them on the Youtube website!

Thanks for watching!

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

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Dehydration

It is early May and I can feel the heat. I feel dry and thirsty most days. My urine is dark and concentrated. That means I am losing more water than I take in. Most of the water I am losing is during exercise and walking 18 holes on a golf course on a hot day.

Where am losing my water from?

A healthy individual loses water from exposure to high environmental temperature or from strenuous exercise. If you are not well then you may lose water because you are on a diuretic, you may have diarrhea or fever and you may be a diabetic or have kidney problems.

Earliest symptoms of dehydration are thirst and decreased output of concentrated urine. Thirst is not always a reliable indicator of dehydration. Urinary output and concentration is more reliable. Dark coluored or amber urine indicates our body needs more water.

Skin has an important role to play in water and electrolyte balance. Skin is the largest organ of our body and protects us from environment. Skin is constantly exposed to sun, wind and other injuries.

Skin has a capacity to excrete fluid and electrolytes. It plays an important role in maintaining body temperature. When a person feels hot the blood vessels in the skin dilate and sweat secretion increases. The body loses heat by radiation from the large amount of blood circulating through the dilated blood vessels in the skin and by evaporation of sweat.

Sweat glands are found in almost every part of the skin. They normally release a little fluid all the time, and as this fluid evaporates, our body cools off. If we need to cool off then these glands can get stimulated to be more active. They secrete even more fluid and help us cool off more thanks to skin temperature nerve endings.

Oil glands (sebaceous glands) produce oil secretion known as sebum. The sebum spreads on the skin. It prevents excess water loss, lubricates and softens the skin and hair.

Mild dehydration can cause symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and fatigue. Severe dehydration is a life-threatening medical emergency. Mild to moderate dehydration can be corrected by consuming more fluids. Severe cases of dehydration require immediate medical treatment.

To prevent dehydration one must consume plenty of fluids and foods high in water. It is best to start this the day before strenuous exercise. Producing lots of clear, dilute urine is a good indication that you’re well hydrated. Drink two glasses of water before your exercise. During the physical activity, drink more fluids at regular intervals, and continue drinking water or other fluids after the physical activity is done.

As we get into warmer days, a bottle of water should become your good friend. Again, remember, don’t wait to feel thirsty. Prevent dehydration before it gets to you.

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

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Dr. B Talks About No Scalpel Vasectomy

This is my second video blog.

No scalpel vasectomy is a procedure which I do in my office. For more information please view these links: What you should know about vasectomy? and Information/Instructions for No-Scalpel Vasectomy.

I hope you enjoyed this video! Comments may be left by clicking on the video above and leaving them on the Youtube website!

Thanks for watching!

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!