Latest news with #DrAhmed
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
‘My adult acne dictated my life for a decade – until I realised it was caused by stress'
The medical explanation for how how stress impacts skin This link between psychological stress and skin health is now well supported by science, says Dr Ahmed. Stress alters the immune response in the skin, increases inflammation, and disrupts the skin barrier – making it more reactive to heat, fragrance, pollution, even sweat. 'When you're stressed, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, flooding the body with cortisol, a hormone that slows down wound healing, reduces immunity, and increases inflammation,' Dr Ahmed explains. 'Even the microbiome on your skin changes under stress,' she adds. 'Because the skin itself contains its own stress response system – meaning that even over-cleansing or exposure to pollution can cause visible flare-ups. So stress is really not just in your head, it's in your actual cells. What's more, people don't realise, or perhaps forget, that your skin is a sensory organ, so it reflects how safe, or unsafe, your body feels.' Dr Ahmed believes several factors lie behind the rise in her patient numbers: burnout, increased screen time, poor sleep, dietary shifts, and the pressure of constant self-surveillance through social media. 'We're living in high-alert mode, and our skin is reflecting it,' she says. Taking a deeper, holistic approach In Kiara's case, it wasn't until she began working with a nutritionist that things started to shift. 'I'd dismissed nutrition as irrelevant,' she admits. 'But once we looked at my gut health, inflammation, and hormones – and yes, stress! – it all made so much more sense. Kiara also radically simplified her skincare routine – ditching aggressive acids and focusing on calming, barrier-supporting products instead. But, even more importantly, says Kiara, was shifting her mindset. 'It wasn't just about skin. I had to sort out the decade-long relationship I had with my self-esteem that was the very thing causing the stress and anxiety.' The emotional scars that last longer than the spots Interestingly, even when symptoms improve, patients often take far longer to recover emotionally, says Dr Ahmed. 'There's something we call 'psycho-lag,' where the skin clears before the person feels safe or confident again. They've lived with fear, shame, trauma. It doesn't vanish overnight. But it can be worked on.' For Kiara, the final turning point came when she began speaking openly about her experience. 'I started an Instagram account, initially anonymously, no face, just words. And the messages came flooding in from other sufferers: 'Me too', and 'I thought I was the only one.' That's when I realised this isn't just about skin – it's about connection, confidence, and finally being seen. That's instant stress relief.' Today, Kiara's confidence – and her complexion – is so vastly improved she's changed careers. After qualifying as a master NLP practitioner, the psychology graduate now works as a skin confidence coach, helping people with the mental and emotional scars of acne. 'Looking back, the most damaging part of my experience wasn't the spots themselves, but the lonely silence around them. No one talked about how spots made you feel, so I thought I was the only one dealing with it as an adult. I want to get the message out that talking helps relieve stress, and stress relief can only be a good thing for your skin.' How to support stressed skin Dr Alia Ahmed's evidence-based tips for protecting your skin during times of stress Sleep matters – as does timing Sleep deprivation elevates cortisol and delays healing. The skin regenerates overnight. Aim for seven to nine hours, starting before midnight, because your circadian rhythm matters, so eight hours starting at 2am is not the same as sleeping from 10pm. Your cortisol needs to drop for proper healing. Stay hydrated Aim for 1.5–2 litres of water daily. Not just for 'plump' skin, but for gut health, detoxification, and microbiome balance. I also recommend good fats (like omega-3s), probiotics, and vitamin D, especially in darker-skinned individuals, or during UK winters. Feed your skin from the inside There's actually no strong scientific evidence that chocolate or dairy directly cause skin conditions. But we do know high-glycaemic foods can trigger acne in some people. So if someone cuts something out and sees a difference – great. Just make sure they're replacing nutrients properly, and willing to reintroduce them if there's no improvement. Prioritise healthy fats (like omega-3s from fish or flax), fibre-rich vegetables, and probiotics or fermented foods to reduce inflammation Watch alcohol intake I don't say 'never drink, 'just be realistic. If you're flaring up, don't stack back-to-back nights out and then wonder why your face is inflamed. Alcohol is a clear trigger for rosacea and psoriasis, and it dehydrates the skin. But I'm no killjoy, live your life as you want to, just understand the consequences. Keep it simple Avoid aggressive acids or actives when your skin is inflamed. Stick to a gentle cleanser, barrier-repairing moisturiser, and daily SPF (sun protection factor). For Kiara, I advised Tolpa Sebio CICA night cream. Laser treatments More people are asking about these. AviClear is an FDA-approved treatment for acne which is available in the UK, and evidence has shown it can effective when used on its own, or alongside oral and topical treatments. I don't use it in clinic currently, although am looking into it. At-home red light treatments don't have as much research behind them yet, and can be expensive, so discuss with a professional before investing. Rethink how you relax You might think it's too 'woo woo,' but I do recommend journaling, breathwork, walking, or even ten minutes of solitude on your commute, because these things all help regulate the nervous system. Not everyone needs to meditate if they don't fancy it; but everyone needs to decompress. Ask the right questions If your skin condition is affecting your mental health, raise it with your GP. You can request integrated support or referral to psychodermatology services, where available. Don't suffer alone.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I'm a doctor - I'm begging you to come and see us if your headache involves one of these eight details
Everyone suffers headaches from time to time, and they are usually nothing to worry about. But a doctor has shared the eight warning signs that a headache could indicate something much more sinister—like a deadly brain bleed or cancer. In a viral TikTok video that has amassed more than 1.2 million views, Dr Ahmed, an A&E specialist, outlined the scenario in which you must 'come to see me quickly'. The first symptom he lists is a 'thunderclap headache', which he described as 'the worst headache of your life.' 'If you have or wake up with one, that's an emergency—it could be a brain bleed. Come to me quickly,' he said. Thunderclap headaches are sudden, agonising pains that feel like being hit in the head, resulting in 'a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before', according to the NHS. This is considered a medical emergency, and the health service advises sufferers to call 999 or get to a local A&E as soon as possible. A sudden headache of this type may be a sign of a burst blood vessel in the brain, which can result in lifelong disability, coma and even death, experts say. A brain bleed is the most frequent cause of a thunderclap headache, which is usually the result of a bulge in the blood vessel bursting, according to Dr Ahmed. The next worrying symptom he outlined was stroke-like symptoms. Though a stroke is often painless, some do experience a headache alongside it and so the symptoms should not be ignored. This includes weakness on one side of the body, drooping of the face, vision loss, hearing loss, confusion and sudden loss of speech. Written in the caption of the video, Dr Ahmed said this could be an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blockage cuts off the blood supply to the brain. Patients should also watch out for headaches that come alongside fever and neck pain. This, Dr Ahmed said, is a common symptom of encephalitis—a serious condition where the brain becomes inflamed. It can be caused by an infection like meningitis and lead to confusion and deadly seizures. Profusely vomiting is another warning sign, 'especially after you've had a head injury', the doctor warned. This could indicate a major bleed, medically known as hemorrhage, which can lead to deadly strokes and life-long brain damage. His fifth red flag was a headache that comes with any eye pain and/or vision loss. 'This can be an acute angle closure glaucoma. Come to me, I will send you to a specialist,' Dr Ahmed said. The condition, which affects two per cent of over-40s, is usually caused by fluid slowly building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside it. As a result, the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. Another red flag is if the headache occurs in a pregnant woman, 'especially in the second trimester'. Dr Ahmed explained this could be the deadly condition pre-eclampsia, in which rocketing blood pressure triggers a host of complications for both mother and baby. The most effective treatment is an early delivery; usually via C-section, but if left untreated it can trigger stroke, seizures and organ damage in the mother, and slow growth in the baby. Dr Ahmed said: 'Pre-eclampsia is still quite common, the headaches can quickly lead to confusion, agitation and seizures as the mums brain swells. Urgent treatment is required.' The seventh warning sign to look out for is if the headache is worse when you're bending forward or coughing. He said: 'Bending forward and coughing cause very mild increases in pressure in the head, but if there is too much fluid in the brain, those simple actions cause worsening of pain. 'These [headaches] need urgent treatment as the damage they cause is slow, but very permanent.' Too much fluid and pressure in the brain can damage critical structures and restrict blood flow. This can lead to headaches, vision changes, and in severe cases, even brain damage or death. Concluding the video, his final point was that people should be wary of a headache that won't go away. @gamingdocmbbs He said: 'If a headache hasn't gone for a long time, every day you have one and it just keeps getting worse and nothing is treating it, even though it's a mild headache, we want to see you. Maybe not A&E, but someone needs to see you. 'Any headache that lasts weeks without improvement is a red flag sign and needs assessment. it might be stress, a migraine, tension or cancer.' The persistent ailment may occur because a cancerous tumour leads to increased pressure in the skull, particularly as it grows larger, according to The Brain Tumour Charity. Some 12,000 people are diagnosed each year with a brain tumour, including 500 children and young people. In the UK, over 10 million people experience headaches regularly. Tension headaches are the most frequent type, affecting 41 per cent of Britons. Additionally, 33 per cent of the population have experienced migraines in the past month, a 2023 study by Pfizer found.
