The gap between health and illness: Suboptimal Health

Fatigue | Skin Problems | Stress & Mood Swings | Memory Decline | Poor Sleeping Quality & Insomnia | Changes in Eating Habits | Gastrointestinal Problems | Dizziness & Headache | Hair Loss | Poor Immunity.

Have you ever encountered any of the symptoms above? Those are the top ten symptoms of suboptimal health. Suboptimal health is a state of declining physiological function. Some people often experience discomfort, but there are no abnormalities shown in medical check-up. That may be a sign of suboptimal health. People with suboptimal health symptoms mostly fall between 18 to 45 years old with higher risk in female. Most people tend to ignore the symptoms of suboptimal health. However, those symptoms are early warnings of many health consequences. If you are facing more than two symptoms stated, it means that your health are deteriorating.

Fatigue

  • Constantly feeling of tired or lack of energy
  • Concentration difficulties, easily distracted 
  • Feeling tired whole day long without specific reason
  • Physical strength deteriorates 
  • Visual fatigue after facing electronical devices for long hours

Skin problems

  • Dull complexion and imbalance skin tone
  • Moisture lost causing dry skin and wrinkles 
  • Oily skin causes clogged pores, blackheads and acne problem

Mood swings

  • Sudden change of mood
  • Intense shift of emotional state 
  • Easily irritated
  • Intense sadness, anger, stress or anxiousness.

Memory decline

  • Worsened memory
  • Forgetfulness 
  • Often forget simple things in life 

Poor sleeping quality or insomnia

  • Suffer from insomnia or sleep deprivation
  • Difficulty falling asleep at night
  • Poor sleeping quality, easily awakened 
  • Vivid dreams resulting in tiredness and lack of rest on the next day

Changes in eating habits affecting gastrointestinal health

  • Changes in taste and flavour preference
  • Unhealthy food choices such as oily, spicy or salty food 
  • Loss of appetite
  • Overeating or binge eating
  • Irregular meal time leading to bloatedness 
  • Gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, gastric problem or diarrhea

Dizziness and headache

  • Headache without a specific reason
  • Continuously dizziness 
  • Repeated headaches which affect work performance and mood

Hair fall problem

  • Hair fall problem at young age
  • Hair volume decreases 
  • hairline begins to recede 
  • Excessive oily or dry scalp
  • Unhealthy scalp such as dandruff problem, itchiness, and redness

Weak immunity, get sick easily

  • Weakened immune system 
  • Get sick easily such as cold, sore throat and fever.

 

Chevin nutritionist Ke Qi:

There are many health problems or consequences which are begins with bad habits in life. If you encounter more than 2 symptoms stated above, it’s time for you to make some changes. You can try to exercise more and reduce the usage of electronical devices, eat and sleep at regular time daily and prevent skipping meals or staying up late. Mood swings could be due to long term stress, hormonal imbalance or mental illness. If you are facing emotional problem or stuck in a toxic or stressful environment, you should seek for professional help such as consultant or you can try to release stress by talking to your family or close friends. Besides, diet choices is one of the most important factors in maintaining health. Try to reduce having food that are high in salt, sugar and oil. Instead, you can consume more antioxidant rich food. Antioxidants help to strengthen the immune system, reduce sickness and also enhance skin condition.

Nutritionist Lau Ke Qi
Taylor’s University
Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition
Post-graduate Master degree in Nutrition Universiti Putra Malaysia