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
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