https://askdoc.life Plain-English answers to everyday health questions, written by a practicing doctor. Plus one-to-one sessions to make sense of your own results. en Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:25:39 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/acid-reflux-and-bloating https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/acid-reflux-and-bloating A doctor explains what causes acidity, reflux and bloating, why antacids stop working, which tests are worth doing, and the symptoms that need checking now. Everyday Symptoms Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/antibiotics-when-they-help https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/antibiotics-when-they-help A doctor explains what antibiotics can and cannot treat, the real harms of taking them unnecessarily, and how resistance is driven by over-the-counter use. Tests & Medicines Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/anxiety-physical-symptoms https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/anxiety-physical-symptoms A doctor explains why anxiety causes palpitations and chest tightness, why these symptoms are real, and why they still need checking before blaming anxiety. Mind & Sleep Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/cholesterol-and-heart-risk https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/cholesterol-and-heart-risk A doctor explains LDL, HDL, triglycerides, non-HDL, ApoB and Lp(a) in both units, how risk calculators work, and what statins do as a drug class. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/desk-work-back-and-neck-pain https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/desk-work-back-and-neck-pain A doctor explains why desk work causes back and neck pain, the exact ergonomic measurements that matter, what standing desks really do, and the red flags. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/headaches-when-to-worry https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/headaches-when-to-worry A doctor explains the six headache types people actually get, how to tell them apart, what helps each one, and the specific warning signs that need urgent care. Everyday Symptoms Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/heat-stress-and-hydration-at-work https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/heat-stress-and-hydration-at-work A doctor explains heat exhaustion versus heat stroke, WBGT limits, acclimatisation schedules, work-rest cycles, and hydration that is more than water. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/high-blood-pressure-explained https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/high-blood-pressure-explained A doctor explains what blood pressure numbers mean, how to measure yours properly at home, why US and European guidelines disagree, and what truly lowers it. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/insomnia-fixing-sleep https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/insomnia-fixing-sleep A doctor explains CBT-I, the actual first-line treatment for chronic insomnia: stimulus control, sleep restriction, and why sleep hygiene alone rarely works. Mind & Sleep Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/iron-deficiency-anaemia https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/iron-deficiency-anaemia A doctor explains why ferritin matters more than hemoglobin, how iron deficiency causes symptoms before anemia appears, and when low iron needs investigating. Food & Nutrition Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/hearing-loss-and-noise-at-work https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/hearing-loss-and-noise-at-work A doctor explains decibel limits and exposure times, why noise damage is permanent and painless, earplugs versus earmuffs in the real world, and tinnitus. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/painful-and-irregular-periods https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/painful-and-irregular-periods A doctor explains how to measure heavy bleeding properly, why endometriosis takes years to diagnose, what causes irregular cycles, and when to get checked. Women's Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/pcos-practical-guide https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/pcos-practical-guide A doctor explains the Rotterdam criteria, the metabolic side of PCOS most people miss, what it means for fertility, hair and skin, and what actually helps. Women's Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/prediabetes-and-insulin-resistance https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/prediabetes-and-insulin-resistance A doctor explains prediabetes thresholds in both units, why insulin resistance starts a decade early, why South Asians develop it thinner, and what trials show. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/shift-work-and-your-health https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/shift-work-and-your-health A doctor explains what night shifts do to metabolism, heart risk and sleep, what IARC concluded, and a practical playbook for surviving a night rotation. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/understanding-your-blood-test-results https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/understanding-your-blood-test-results A doctor explains what each line on a blood test report measures, what the numbers mean in both mg/dL and mmol/L, and why one odd result rarely matters. Tests & Medicines Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency A doctor separates what vitamin D genuinely does for bones and muscles from what it has been oversold for, and explains who should actually be tested. Food & Nutrition Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/weight-metabolism-and-why-diets-fail https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/weight-metabolism-and-why-diets-fail A doctor explains metabolic adaptation, appetite hormones, why weight regain is biology not willpower, and what genuinely predicts long-term maintenance. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/health-checkups-by-age https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/health-checkups-by-age A doctor's guide to which health checks are worth doing at 25, 35, 45 and 55, what to skip, and how screening advice differs between countries. Prevention & Screening Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/why-am-i-always-tired https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/why-am-i-always-tired A doctor explains what really causes constant tiredness, which blood tests matter, what genuinely helps, and the warning signs that need to be seen quickly. Everyday Symptoms Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/travel-health-checklist https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/travel-health-checklist A doctor sets out what to sort before traveling: vaccines, malaria advice, medicines and documentation, insurance, and the risks that actually cause problems. Prevention & Screening Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/family-history-of-heart-disease https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/family-history-of-heart-disease A doctor explains which family history genuinely raises your heart risk, what to get checked and when, and how much of the risk you can actually change. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/acetaminophen-vs-ibuprofen https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/acetaminophen-vs-ibuprofen A doctor compares acetaminophen and ibuprofen: which works better for which kind of pain, who should avoid anti-inflammatories, and the mixing mistake to avoid. Tests & Medicines Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/adult-vaccines-you-might-be-missing https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/adult-vaccines-you-might-be-missing A doctor explains which vaccines adults commonly miss, how schedules differ between the UK, US, EU, Gulf and South Asia, and how to check what you have had. Prevention & Screening Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/are-heart-palpitations-serious https://askdoc.life/library/everyday-symptoms/are-heart-palpitations-serious A doctor explains what heart palpitations usually mean, why most are harmless extra beats, and the specific features that make them worth investigating. Everyday Symptoms Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/blood-sugar-spikes-after-meals https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/blood-sugar-spikes-after-meals A doctor explains what happens to blood sugar after eating, which post-meal peaks are normal, when spikes genuinely matter, and what flattens them. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/bone-density-scan-who-needs-one https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/bone-density-scan-who-needs-one A doctor explains what a DXA bone density scan measures, who genuinely needs one, how T-scores are interpreted, and why fracture risk matters more than density. Prevention & Screening Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/bowel-cancer-screening-explained https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/bowel-cancer-screening-explained A doctor explains how stool-based bowel cancer screening works, how ages differ between countries, what a positive result means, and why colonoscopy follows. Prevention & Screening Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/burnout-vs-depression https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/burnout-vs-depression A doctor explains how burnout differs from depression, the overlap that makes them hard to separate, and the signs that mean you should be assessed properly. Mind & Sleep Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/caffeine-and-sleep https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/caffeine-and-sleep A doctor explains how long caffeine really lasts, why an afternoon coffee still costs you sleep, and how to find the cut-off time that suits your own body. Mind & Sleep Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/calcium-and-bone-health https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/calcium-and-bone-health A doctor explains how much calcium adults need, why food sources beat tablets for most people, who genuinely benefits from supplements, and what protects bone. Food & Nutrition Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-at-work https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-at-work An occupational doctor explains what really causes carpal tunnel syndrome, why typing is a weak culprit, and which jobs and health conditions matter most. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/cervical-screening-explained https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/cervical-screening-explained A doctor explains what cervical screening tests for, why HPV testing changed the intervals, how programs differ by country, and what an abnormal result means. Prevention & Screening Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/skin-checks-and-mole-changes https://askdoc.life/library/prevention-screening/skin-checks-and-mole-changes A doctor explains which mole changes are worth acting on, how the ABCDE and ugly duckling rules work, and why skin screening programs differ by country. Prevention & Screening Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/contraception-options-explained https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/contraception-options-explained A doctor compares contraception methods on real-world effectiveness, effort and side effects, and the questions that decide the right choice for you. Women's Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/do-i-need-to-fast-before-a-blood-test https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/do-i-need-to-fast-before-a-blood-test A doctor explains which blood tests genuinely need fasting, which do not, how long counts as fasting, and whether you can still drink water or coffee. Tests & Medicines Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/do-multivitamins-work https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/do-multivitamins-work A doctor explains what multivitamins do and do not achieve, which supplements have real evidence behind them, and who genuinely benefits from taking one. Food & Nutrition Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/screens-and-sleep https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/screens-and-sleep A doctor explains what the evidence says about screens and sleep, why blue light is only part of the story, and which changes make a measurable difference. Mind & Sleep Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/why-you-must-finish-antibiotics https://askdoc.life/library/tests-and-medicines/why-you-must-finish-antibiotics A doctor explains the modern answer on finishing antibiotics, why courses are getting shorter, and why stopping on your own is still the wrong move. Tests & Medicines Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/does-walking-after-meals-lower-blood-sugar https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/does-walking-after-meals-lower-blood-sugar A doctor explains the evidence behind post-meal walking, how much it lowers the glucose spike, the best timing and duration, and who should be careful. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/dust-exposure-and-lung-health https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/dust-exposure-and-lung-health An occupational doctor explains respirable dust, silica limits, the diseases that follow years later, and the controls and health checks that prevent them. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/respiratory-protection-mask-types https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/respiratory-protection-mask-types An occupational doctor explains FFP2, FFP3, N95 and half-mask respirators, what assigned protection factors mean, and why fit testing decides everything. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/exercise-and-mental-health https://askdoc.life/library/mind-and-sleep/exercise-and-mental-health A doctor explains how much exercise really improves depression and anxiety, why it works, how long it takes, and where it stops being enough alone. Mind & Sleep Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/eye-strain-from-screens https://askdoc.life/library/workplace-health/eye-strain-from-screens A doctor explains why screens make eyes ache, why blue-light glasses disappoint, and the workstation changes that reliably reduce digital eye strain. Health at Work Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/fatty-liver-disease-explained https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/fatty-liver-disease-explained A doctor explains what fatty liver means on a scan, how serious it is, what the fibrosis question really is, and the changes that reverse it. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/fibre-and-gut-health https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/fibre-and-gut-health A doctor explains how much fiber adults actually need, which foods deliver it, why adding it too quickly causes bloating, and when bowel symptoms need checking. Food & Nutrition Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/hair-loss-in-women https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/hair-loss-in-women A doctor explains the common causes of hair loss in women, the handful of blood tests that are genuinely useful, and when shedding needs proper assessment. Women's Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/how-to-lower-triglycerides https://askdoc.life/library/metabolic-health/how-to-lower-triglycerides A doctor explains what triglycerides are, why alcohol and refined carbohydrates raise them most, and the changes that move the number within weeks. Heart & Metabolic Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/how-heavy-is-too-heavy-a-period https://askdoc.life/library/womens-health/how-heavy-is-too-heavy-a-period A doctor explains what counts as heavy menstrual bleeding, the practical signs that matter more than milliliters, and what tests and treatments are available. Women's Health Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/how-much-protein-do-i-need https://askdoc.life/library/nutrition/how-much-protein-do-i-need A doctor explains the real protein numbers: the minimum, the amount that helps with training, ageing and weight loss, and whether high protein harms kidneys. Food & Nutrition Dr. Jannat Ilyas, MBBS Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT