Health
Taking care of your health while in the UAE
Whenever a big life change happens our health is impacted. While teachers who have lived in the UAE for a while are a bit more prepared for health challenges, they are not exempt from illnesses related to this hot climate. New teachers, on the other hand, may find that in the first few months, there are a number of health issues that arise.
In this article, we look at a few common health concerns linked to the environment, and offer a few tips on selecting a health care professional to tackle your health concerns.
Common health concerns
• Skin issues for example adult acne and dehydrated skin( change in pigmentation and increase in wrinkles) from sun damage and changes in diet
• Hair loss which may be linked to stress and the water in the UAE
• Lack of exercise resulting in weight gain
• Fluctuations in weight( weight loss or weight gain) linked to changes in diet based on the lack of access to some foods that were frequently consumed in your home country
• Asthma or other sinus related illnesses resulting from dust( sand)
• Stress related illnesses that may be linked to your job or transitioning to
UAE away from loved ones
• Changes in sleep patterns or insomnia which may be caused by stress, loneliness or overthinking
• Depression resulting from feelings of alienation, culture shock, or personal choices
• Headaches that may result from stress or sinus issues
Tips on selecting a health care practitioner
Aisha Shakti Hakim in her article, * How to Choose the Right Healthcare Professional, offers some useful advice to new teachers on choosing a health care professional.
She advises teachers to consider the following when trying to decide on a doctor:
1. What is the doctor’ s level of English proficiency? This is crucial, as having an experienced doctor will not matter if you are not able to understand what they are saying.
2. You may be more comfortable speaking with a Non-Muslim Western doctor. Aim for a one on one conversation.
3. Familiarise yourself with the health issue that you are facing. In many instances, we already have an idea of what could be wrong. A welltrained doctor is an expert, but it helps to know what is happening with your body. Check out notable health websites but be careful not to self-diagnose as you could be wrong.
4. Ask for doctor recommendations from Facebook or other online groups of expats. Your question should be worded“ Does anyone have a personal recommendation for a Western trained( dentist, Gynaecologist, etc.)?” Then ask for specific feedback once people share.
5. Once you decide on a doctor, remember to ask them to recommend another healthcare professional. The UAE can be a transient place, where your healthcare professional may leave without notice. It is always wise to have a second option.
Making use of your insurance
You will be given health insurance as a part of your employment package. Ensure that you not only collect the card, but also a copy of the policy detailing what is covered. Many policies cover some amount of preventative medicine. Some may also cover alternative medicines such as acupuncture, etc. Practice as much preventative medicine as possible. Being sick in a foreign country can be extra stressful.
Source: * How to Choose the Right Healthcare Professional, Teach Middle East Magazine, Sept. – Oct. Issue 2015
20 | 2016- 2017 |