Food allergy VS sensitivity. Stock UR home with sensible foods for UR family
Imagine gorging on delicious dishes and enjoying the best of foods without a worry. Well, this can be a blessing for some and a curse for a few who have food allergies or intolerances. Even though having or dealing food allergies is considered normal, there are still a few setbacks like not knowing safe food substitutes. What if you could indulge in your favorite dishes and not be troubled by UR allergies. Here is a fab list of food substitutes which can help you beat food allergy woes. What Is A Food Allergy? There is a distinction between food intolerance and food allergy. Food sensitivity (bloat, nausea, stomach cramps) is an uncomfortable symptom of food. Nevertheless, the immune system is not active in this case. The difference between food allergies and food sensitivity or intolerance is the way UR body reacts to the allergens. Food allergy is when UR immune system causes the reaction. Ex Hives, anaphylaxis. Food sensitivity or Intolerance: Is triggered by the digestive system. Ex Nausea, vomiting, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea. Food allergy reactions can vary from being extreme or mild. Most Importantly, “Listen to your Body”. When & How Do Allergies Set-In? Allergies can set in within a few minutes or two hours post ingestion and it also varies on the individuals immune system. If they have strong immunity, then they have more chances of warding off any infection or disease. But if you have strong immunity but if you are allergic to a specific food, then the severity and approach may vary. Signs & Symptoms Tingling Hives Swelling of lips, tongue and throat can lead to choking due to an airway blockage. The individual requires immediate medical attention if they are experiencing anaphylaxis. Wheezing Itchy skin or rashes Nasal congestion Throat tightness GI (Gastrointestinal) SYSTEM: Nausea vomiting, diarrhea. Cramps. Inflammation of the gut for example, Celiac and Crohn's disease. How Is A Food Allergy Diagnosed Allergy skin test Blood test—Ige antibody test for specific food allergen Spirometry—Lung function test Safe Substitutes For Different Food Allergens Allergens Substitutes Cow or buffalo milk Coconut milk, rice milk, cashew milk oat milk, or Almond Milk. Read the labels for hidden ingredients in small print. Eggs in baking Applesauce, baking powder, bananas and ground flax. Nuts/peanuts Toasted oats, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Whole wheat flour Coconut flour and spelt flour Flour (Maida) Rice flour, almond flour and quinoa flour. Soya Ricotta cheese or Paneer Peanuts Sunflower or pumpkin seeds Citrus Applesauce and acidic white wine. Proteins That May Cause Food Allergies Protein Food Source Gliadin Component of gluten/wheat Glutenin Wheat protein Lactose Milk protein therefore lactose-free milk is available. Conalbumin Present in egg whites Calcium Caseinate Milk protein additive Arginine Kinase Enzyme Lectin Lentils and legumes. Things to Keep In Mind If You Have Food Allergies Always read the ingredient list on the food label. Maintain a food diary. Eliminate one food item in the diet. If no signs of allergies. May conclude that particular food may be the cause for the allergy. Don’t miss UR doctor’s appointments, whenever you have a doubt make sure to clear it with the help of a certified and trusted medical professional. Ask UR doctor and or Registered and Licensed Dietitian the right questions, starting from your daily food choices and lifestyle to get the best diet plan or food substitutes for you. Even though this method takes time, it is one of the most effective and can help you overcome food allergy woes. Lastly listen to your body’s response to allergic reactions.
Imagine gorging on delicious dishes and enjoying the best of foods without a worry. Well, this can be a blessing…
5 Tips To Strengthen UR Familial Bonds
'Blood is thicker than water', an ancient proverb tells it all about familial bonds. Families may have their problems and jealousies, but in times of dire need, you are better off having a family member on standby. There are various kinds of relationships and friendship is an important one. As per the Oxford dictionary, friendship is defined as a 'relationship between two people who hold mutual affection for each other'. If you happen to have a family member who is also a close friend, you have the best of everything. However, if there is consistent reciprocity, understanding, compassion and honesty, an acquaintanceship can turn into friendship. The conversion is more likely when one experiences a level of comfort in the company of the other to be himself and express fearlessly. Age is no bar to form a relationship. A good relationship is like a fuel that strengthens our health, mind and connections with others. On the other hand, if the relationship isn't working, it can drain a person physically and emotionally. Seeking professional help may include individual therapy to raise emotional awareness and assertiveness, or couple and family sessions to help tidy the unattended issues. Seeking help, in my opinion, is a sign of strength, not weakness. 01 Communicate Effectively Remember the key to a healthy relationship is effective communication. The fundamental of excellent communication is to listen more and talk less. This will leave the other feeling valued. It's wise to accept the views of others without feeling challenged or threatened. Speak calmly without losing composure or unduly asserting UR thoughts. 02 Choose Humanistic Contact Technological advances have connected us to people across the world but disconnected from those with and around us. I suggest you choose direct one to one contact over texting, email and clicking the 'like' button on Social Media. Personal engagement is always better than a digital one. Make sure you look into the person's eyes while speaking. U must pay attention as a mark of respect. 03 Leave No Loose Ends Ensure that any growing differences are attended promptly, especially in romantic relationships. Understand that relationships are dynamic, therefore warrant a proactive response to change. Loose ends in relationship matters enhance emotional burden and bury the core issue. 04 Accept And Adapt Queen Elizabeth allegedly stated 'grief is the price we pay for love'. Which means we need to accept some loss if we want to love. It is essential to recognize that there are ups and downs in every relationship and nothing is permanent. Relationship breakdowns should not be seen as rejection or failure which can drive withdrawal, agitation, depression and even suicidal behaviour. For a lasting relationship, ongoing investment is the key. Learn to temper UR attachment and let go of the relationship when it isn't working. Make sure you give it UR best shot before breaking relationships as once the damage is done, it’s very hard to be rectified. 05 Allow Space, Invest More And Expect Less Insecurity breeds possessiveness and a claustrophobic feeling. Therefore allow space in UR relationship, have basic trust and avoid undue involvement. Relationships are an investment. The more you put in, the more returns you can get back. All that is required is patience and consistency. When you expect nothing, you always get more. Stay Happy and Learn to Live to the fullest. Spread Positivity and try UR best to Strengthen Family Ties.
‘Blood is thicker than water’, an ancient proverb tells it all about familial bonds. Families may have their problems and…
Khow Suey
In a large wok, dry roast the besan until it turns golden orangey, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn it! Set aside and sauté the onion and garlic, add the chilli paste. Ease: 6 Approximate cost: INR 300 Serving size: 4 Cooking time: 45 minutes Nutritive value (per serving) Energy: 390Kcal Carbs:14.3 g Protein: 24.7g Fat: 23.9g Fibre: 1.8g Ingredients For the Soup Chickpea Flour/ Besan: 4 tbsp Olive oil: 1 tbsp Onion Paste:4 tbsp Garlic Paste: 2 tsp Chilli Paste: 1 tbsp homemade or any Chilli Sauce you like Chicken Stock or Veg stock: ½ litre Coconut Milk: 1.5 cans Red Chilli Powder: ½ tbsp Sesame Oil: 1 tbsp Soy Sauce: 1 tbsp Chicken : 400 gm Coconut Sugar or Sweetener of choice: 2 tbsp Lime juice: ½ Water: 1 cup Salt as per taste For the Chicken Cooked Chicken: 400gms Peanut or Olive Oil: 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 tbsp Chilli Paste: 1 tsp Soya Sauce: 1 tsp Vinegar: 1 tsp Honey or Sugar: 1 tsp Water: 1 tbsp For Toppings Steamed greens- fine green beans/pakchoy: 5 gm Egg noodles 5 gm Chopped Red Chillies:5 gm Crispy Fried Onions:5 gm Roasted Crushed Peanuts: 5 gm Lemon Wedges: 5 gm Chopped Spring Onions: 5 gm Chopped Coriander: 5 gm Chilli Paste-: 5 gm Crispy Noodles (egg or buckwheat noodles break into small pieces and cook in a pan with a tbsp of oil, stirring constantly.) Preparation Step 1: In a large wok, dry roast the besan until it turns golden orangey, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn it! Set aside and sauté the onion and garlic, add the chilli paste. Next add the stock and coconut milk, soy sauce, salt and chilli. Whisk the besan into a cup of water, then whisk into the wok until the soup thickens a bit, breaking any lumps that may form. Add sesame oil. Add the coconut sugar and lemon juice, to give the soup a bit of zing. Step 2 : Sautee the ginger garlic paste first in oil, then add everything else. Quickly add and sauté the protein chicken/prawns or tofu until it is cooked through on a medium flame. Step 3: Take a bowl, first serve the noodles, then add the soup, toppings and serve hot.
In a large wok, dry roast the besan until it turns golden orangey, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn…
Cantonese Poached Chicken and Rice Bowl
Sear the chicken skin side down in a deep saucepan, remove any excess oil from the pan that leaches out and add the water and everything else. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 30-45 mins until the chicken starts falling off the bone. Ease: 5 Approximate cost: INR 400 Serving size: 4 Cooking time: 50 minutes Nutritive value Energy: 264.9Kcal Carbs: 23.7g Protein: 24.2g Fat: 9.6g Fibre: 1.8g Ingredients Organic/country chicken with bone: 500gms Water: 1 litre Ginger, sliced thick: 1 inch piece Spring Onions: 2 stalks Crushed garlic: 3 cloves Soy Sauce: 1 tbsp Fresh or dried Shiitake or oyster mushrooms: 10 pieces Pak Choy: 4-6 stalks (sliced lengthways) Cooked rice: 1.5 cups For the sauce Finely chopped spring onion: 1 stalk Finely chopped green chilli: 1 Handful chopped coriander leaves Cooking liquor: 1 ladle A few drops of sesame oil Salt or soy sauce as per taste Preparation Step 1: Sear the chicken skin side down in a deep saucepan, remove any excess oil from the pan that leaches out and add the water and everything else. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 30-45 mins, covered until the chicken starts falling off the bone. Step 2: Remove the chicken, discard the skin and quickly shred the meat using 2 forks while hot. Discard the ginger, garlic and spring onion, or reserve for future use in stock. Set aside the mushrooms. Step 3: Poach the pak choy for 2 minutes until cooked but still bright green. Set aside. Season the stock with a dash of Soy Sauce- this will be naturally salty due to the chicken bones so add sparingly. Step 4: Assemble the bowls: rice, shredded chicken, mushrooms, pak choy and 2 ladlefuls of the cooking liquor. Note: Refrigerate any leftover stock to use as an Asian stock for soup you can store this upto a week.
Sear the chicken skin side down in a deep saucepan, remove any excess oil from the pan that leaches out…
What’s The Difference Between A Friend, A Therapist And A Guru?
At different points in our lives, we have needed a friend, a therapist, and a mentor to push us through the difficulties, share our happiness and guide us to a better tomorrow. However, they are all different and play different roles in our lives. So, what is the real difference between them? One of the easiest ways to find that out is to as these simple questions, “What role does this person play? To what end? For how long?” If you can get answers to these, you can very well understand each of them and move ahead in life. Friend A friend is supposed to take your side. They need to have unconditional love for you, where right or wrong shouldn’t matter. They are someone who stand by you, take your side and make sure that they are there for in every situation. A friend is someone you can partly take for granted as well because they have your interest in the place. They are neither certified nor are trained practitioners, but the advice that they give you are out of the shared experience of your lives. You also need to set some boundaries and rules, and you should choose a minimum of 5 people who will always be by your side for the rest of your life. You have to cultivate the sort of friendship from your school or college days, where you spend time with them, understand and make a comfort zone around them. You have to make sure that these relations are platonic, and you do not reach any uncomfortable situation in these relationships. You should also let your parents or partners or sibling know about your friends. As a matter of fact, these friends could include your partner or siblings who are in this “5 friends” relationship with you. Friendship is sacred as the rules of friendship are strong. They include, • Sticking by you Being available for you • Understanding your needs • Syncing and growing together • Building a relationship together As friends, you need to have a positive influence on each other, rather than draining each other out. This is what a friend should be. Therapist A therapist is a trained professional who you seek for help. Therapists are not supposed to be judgemental. By practice, they are certified professionals who do not have to judge you and listen to you. Their job is to teach you how to deal or cope up with the urgent situation that you are facing. When a therapist teaches you how to deal with a situation, you will learn to deal with more similar situations or even worse in a better manner. Some of us have deep-rooted issues, and they don’t know who to speak with. That’s where a therapist comes in to help you figure the problem and deal with it in a better manner. Therapists also prescribe medication, as it is essential for you to heal with medication. They also prescribe alternative therapies. Before going to a therapist, you must do your homework. You must understand what you are visiting the therapist for and what you want out of it. Don’t go with high expectations and understand your needs before visiting a therapist, as they are expensive. So choose them wisely, closer to home, within your budget, and can give your benefits out of those therapy sessions. Guru/Mentor A guru or mentor is a person who you seek advice from at different times of your life, depending on what you need. Say you want to start a new business, it is this guru or mentor who will help you move in the right direction. These people give you advice. You can look at their life and experiences and gain from them. Depending on what you want to achieve in life, you have to choose your mentor. That’s the essential part of the process. It is also crucial to choose a set of mentors. Make sure that you learn your lessons from them before moving on to the next one. It will lead to confusion where you might learn anything even with the best of help. Dive deeper into your questions. If you can get a personal session with your guru, then there is nothing better. Or else, you can keep following them on their website or YouTube channels. Study their lives and understand their successes. Take what you feel will help you grow. This is the difference between a friend, a therapist and a mentor or guru. Always remember that all three are your well-wishers, and you need to have them all in your life. Choose who you want to, to succeed in life. And segregate them in different compartments, which will help you become a better person in life.
At different points in our lives, we have needed a friend, a therapist, and a mentor to push us through…
Zoodles in Cashew Lemon Dressing
Shred the zucchini, skin in a vegetable spiralizer cutter. Cut the zoodles once or twice while spiralizing so that you don’t end up with infinitely long noodles. If you don’t have a spiralizer, try julienning the zucchini by hand or just make the zucchini into 2mm thick, flat slices on a mandolin (vegetable slicer) Ease: 4 Approximate cost: INR 120 Serving size: 2 Cooking time: 20 minutes Nutritive value Energy: 180.2 Kcal Carbs: 11.7 g Protein: 6.5g Fat: 12.5 g Fibre: 2.3g Ingredients For the Zoodles Large zucchini: 1 For Cashew Lemon Dressing Cashews: ½ cup (soaked in 1 cup water for 2-3 hours or boiled.) Small garlic clove: 1 Lime zest: ½ Lemon Juice: 1.5 tbsp Nutritional Yeast: 1/2 tbsp (can be substituted with 1 tbsp of grated fresh parmesan cheese) Salt as per taste Pepper as per taste Chilli Flakes (optional) Preparation Step 1: Shred the zucchini, skin in a vegetable spiralizer cutter. Cut the zoodles once or twice while spiralizing so that you don’t end up with infinitely long noodles. If you don’t have a spiralizer, try julienning the zucchini by hand or just make the zucchini into 2mm thick, flat slices on a mandolin (vegetable slicer). Step 2: Steam the zoodles for 2 mins in a colander over a pan of water, retaining the crunch and bright green colour. If UR sauce is too thick, heavy and rich, then you can thin it out appropriately with a little water. Step 3: Mix with dressing in a pan over heat and serve. Store in the fridge in a container for upto a week. Use with zoodles, in salads or as a sauce with chicken. This dish works as a nice complement to my aubergine parmigiana or with some grilled chicken.
Shred the zucchini, skin in a vegetable spiralizer cutter. Cut the zoodles once or twice while spiralizing so that you…
Healthy Aubergine Parmigiana
In a large plate, salt the aubergine and cover with paper towels. Let the natural water drain out- about 30 mins to an hour. Wash and pat dry. Grill the aubergine in a pan with some olive oil until its soft and golden brown. Ease: 5 Approximate cost: INR 150 Serving size: 2 Cooking time: 35 minutes Nutritive value Energy: 122.4Kcal Carbs: 18.2g Protein: 6g Fat: 2.6g Fibre: 7.3g Ingredients Large aubergine/ eggplant: 1 sliced into rounds 1cm thick Minced garlic: 2 cloves Medium-sized red or brown onion: ½ Organic tomatoes or ripe plum tomatoes: 3-4 ( skin removed by blanching in boiling water for 10 seconds.) Coconut Sugar/ Honey optional: ½ tbsp Chilli flakes Handful Basil leaves Olive oil: 1 tbsp Bayleaf: 1 Freshly grated parmesan cheese: 2-3 tbsp Salt as per taste Preparation Step 1: In a large plate, salt the aubergine and cover with paper towels. Let the natural water drain out- about 30 mins to an hour. Wash and pat dry. Grill the aubergine in a pan with some olive oil until its soft and golden brown. Step 2: In a separate pan, add some olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion for a few minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent. Step 3: Add bayleaf, tomatoes and salt. Keep stirring and cook on medium low heat until really thick and reduced. Season with chilli flakes, add the yeast if using. Add some coconut sugar if the sauce tastes sour. Remove the bay leaf and blitz sauce in the processor until it is smooth. Step 4: Then layer in a serving dish- eggplant, sauce, basil leaves and repeat. If using parmesan cheese, in a baking dish layer the eggplant, sauce, basil, cheese, repeat and bake at 200 deg c for 5 mins until the cheese melts.
In a large plate, salt the aubergine and cover with paper towels. Let the natural water drain out- about 30…
Miracles Of Indian Greens
Miracles Of Indian Greens India’s diverse geography and climate conditions can be reflected by its vegetation range, which includes an assortment of edible greens.Leafy Indian greens are a quick source of fibre and chlorophyll that can transform UR health. Interestingly, chlorophyll’s molecular structure is similar to haemoglobin in the blood. Leafy greens are a great addition to UR diet and offer countless health benefits. Miracles of Indian greens Improves vision and nervous control Controls blood pressure and blood glucose levels Great for dental and bone health Purifies UR blood and increases haemoglobin levels Boosts UR immunity Prevents macular degeneration and delays ageing Ideal for weight management 8 fab Indian greens India’s diverse geography and climate conditions can be reflected by its vegetation range, which includes an assortment of edible greens. Amaranth Leaves (Rajgira Leaves) Amaranth Leaves (Rajgira Leaves) are an incredible source of vitamin A, K, C, B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Almost every organ in UR body can benefit from this superfood. This crop grows in the warm season and needs adequate sunlight and moist soil. When growing it at home, ensure the seeds are spaced well and covered lightly with soil. Health benefits Reduces anaemia Protects against osteoporosis Controls high cholesterol Add Amaranth to your daily diet In dal Stir fry these with other veggies Ferment them or use for pickling Moringa Greens (Saijan Patta) Moringa Greens (Saijan Patta) are highly nutritious. Every inch of this tree can be consumed — the pods and leaves as food, and the seeds, bark, flowers and roots as medicine. Moringa is an excellent source of vitamin K, C, B2, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, β-carotene, protein etc. Moringa is grown throughout the year in any moderate or equatorial climate and is easy to grow but ensure your plant gets good sunlight. Plant the seeds two inches apart and cover them lightly with soil. Health benefits Anti-cancer effects Lowers blood sugar Protects against arthritis Controls asthma Prevention of stomach disorders Add Moringa to your daily diet Add the powder to water and drink on an empty stomach Mix into UR soup, smoothies or baked goodies Sprinkle over salad Colocasia Leaves (Arbi ke Patte) Colocasia Leaves (Arbi ke Patte) are a powerhouse of β-carotene and vitamin A and K. These greens are grown throughout the year in subtropical and tropical regions. When growing these greens at home ensure you plant the colocasia tubers at least 2-4 inches deep and keep the plant always moist Health benefits Healthy eyes Healthy heart Robust digestive system Weight loss Add Colocasia to your daily diet Include these leaves in cutlets or as stuffing Make a raita with these greens Make it into a soup or chips Fenugreek Leaves (Methi) Fenugreek Leaves (Methi) can help to meet UR daily requirements of vitamin K, C and calcium. Fenugreek leaves grow well in warm and hot climate. You can also grow it at home in a container but ensure you keep the soil slightly moist and don’t water it too much. Health benefits Decrease in cholesterol levels Control and prevention of diabetes Add Fenugreek to your daily diet Include as a dressing for recipes Make tea from fenugreek seeds Eat sprouted fenugreek salad Prepare as a sabji along with potatoes Mustard leaves (Sarso da saag) Mustard leaves (Sarso da saag) is an excellent source of β-carotene, vitamin K, A, iron and calcium. Mustard greens are seasonal and grow well when the temperature is down. If you are planning to grow these greens at home, choose a spot that gets adequate sun and ensure the soil is fertilised well. Also, remember to water the plant during dry periods. Health benefits Supports liver function Promotes heart health Lowers cancer and heart disease risk Lowers cholesterol levels Boosts the immune system Helps to build bones Add Mustard to your daily diet Add tender mustard greens to salads Sauté mustard greens with walnuts Add chopped mustard greens to a pasta salad Coriander leaves Coriander leaves are a rich source of vitamin C and K, β-carotene. They also contain small amounts of calcium, phosphorous, potassium, thiamin and niacin. This herb grows best in well-drained, moist soil. Coriander is an all-season plant which you can grow by making successive sowings every 2 to 3 weeks starting in late spring. Health benefits Lowers bad cholesterol Promotes liver function Lowers blood sugar levels Protects from lung and chest cavity cancers Boosts immunity Add Coriander to your daily diet As a flavouring agent For garnishing Make a vegetable dip Sorrel (Gongura leaves) Sorrel (Gongura leaves) provide an array of nutrients ranging from vitamins, minerals, organic nutrients, oxalic acid, proteins and fibre. If you want to grow this plant in your garden, do it during spring or fall. It can develop in all types of soil and grow 3-4 feet tall. Health benefits Improves eyesight Helps in weight loss</ Detoxifies your body Lowers blood pressure Treats insomnia Add Sorrel to your daily diet To prepare sauces and soups Pureed sauce served with fish Mix in salads Anne Soppu (Water Spinach) Anne Soppu (Water Spinach) is found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are an abundant source of protein and have copious quantities of water, iron, Vitamin C, A, and other nutrients. You can grow water spinach in moist soil in a wide container but remember that it needs sun and water all the time and summer is the best time to grow these greens. Health benefits Reduces Cholesterol Treats anemia Aids in digestion Protects from heart disease Add Anne Soppu to your daily diet As a stir-fry with garlic, green chillies and green gram Make a delicious sweet, sour and spicy chutney with urad dal
Miracles Of Indian Greens India’s diverse geography and climate conditions can be reflected by its vegetation range, which includes an…
Could UR Child Have A Birth Defect Because Of UR Alcohol Consumption?
Could UR Child Have A Birth Defect Because Of UR Alcohol Consumption? Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that results when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol. This condition causes brain damage and developmental problems and is a spectrum which may have physical, neurological, mental and learning defects. Though FAS can be prevented, it is incapacitating. But while the weaknesses vary from individual to individual, these defects can be permanent. Types Of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders • Fetal alcohol syndrome • Partial fetal alcohol syndrome • Alcohol-related congenital disabilities • Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders • Neuro-behavioural disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure Causes When the mother consumes alcohol during her pregnancy, the distribution of alcohol to the baby through the umbilical cord causes FAS. There is no measure of 'safe limit' alcohol intake during pregnancy. Prenatal consumption of alcohol by the mother should be discouraged before conception and right through the pregnancy as alcohol can cause neurodevelopmental disorders and alcohol-related birth defects. So abstinence from alcohol should begin from the very first visit to the doctor or should be promptly treated if the mother-to-be is not able to stop drinking alcohol. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, it crosses the placenta and reaches the developing baby. The foetus metabolises alcohol slower than an adult. The alcohol content in the blood interferes with oxygen supply and nutrition supply to the developing baby. Alcohol consumption by a pregnant mother can cause permanent brain damage in the baby. Symptoms The symptoms are a combination of physical, cognitive and mental disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the severity and extent of symptoms for FAS can widely differ among individuals. Some individuals may also have difficulty in coping with their daily life routine. Physical Defects • FAS facies • An individual with this disorder may have distinctive facies, small eyes, thin upper lip, short nose, upturned nose and smooth skin between the nose and upper lip • Joint and limb deformities • Slow growth both before and after birth • Small head circumference and head size • Vision and hearing defects • Cardiac, renal and bony defects Neurological & Brain Defects • Poor memory and coordination • Learning disabilities • Delayed milestones and delayed development • Bad memory • Attention-deficit • Rapidly changing moods • Difficulty making decisions • Hyperactivity and jitteriness • Trouble processing information and analysing it Diagnosis FAS is a disorder that comes under the umbrella term known as a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) which further comprises of five disorders: • Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) • Partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS) • Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), • Neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (ND-PAE) • Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD) For diagnosis, all these disorders come into play to indicate the physical and neurological effects of prenatal alcohol consumption by the mother on the fetus. Additionally, each of the five disorders that include the FASD has particular criteria for diagnosis. But due to the extensive exhibition and immense similarity with other hereditary and environment causes, making a definitive diagnosis is not possible for FASD. Once FASD is suspected, the patient will be referred to some specialists to exclude other likely conditions for a conclusive diagnosis. The specialist could vary depending on the patient’s age. Usually, the team of specialists for diagnosis includes a physician or paediatrician or someone with knowledge and expertise in FASD, psychologist, occupational therapist and a speech-language pathologist. Treatment No one treatment is a comprehensive treatment as this a spectrum of disorders and every child presents differently. The child needs medical, physical, behavioural and social modalities of treatment. Initially, treatment begins with behavioural education and physiotherapy. Meanwhile, parent training with all respective medications and other medical therapy should go on simultaneously. Social skill development, training and educational interventions should also be provided -primary care in a specialist centre with medical help and community support services. Prevention FAS can be prevented by simply avoiding alcohol intake during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, stop drinking alcohol and continue to avoid drinking alcohol throughout UR pregnancy. If you are not able to stop drinking alcohol, get help before planning a pregnancy. Since pregnancy is not confirmed until the 4th-6th week of fetal development, couples are advised to avoid alcohol altogether, as you may expose your developing baby to alcohol without meaning to.
Could UR Child Have A Birth Defect Because Of UR Alcohol Consumption? Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that…
A Day In The Life Of A Nurse During Covid-19
A Day In The Life Of A Nurse During Covid-19 Billuri Pushpanjali - Infection Control Nurse, Apollo Medical College Hospital, Jubilee Hills There is no typical day at the hospital during these challenging times, but as a nurse there are certainly things we can expect to deal with regularly. I usually wake up at 6.a.m but nothing seems to be usual about these days. We are currently dealing with a pandemic and we need to be extra cautious. This disease has changed the way we deal with our patients and has made us extremely vigilant in order to minimize the risk of contracting the virus. Before leaving my house I prepare breakfast and lunch for my four-year-old daughter and husband. I say my morning prayers, get ready and head out of the house. I live 12 kilometers away from the hospital, so it takes me around half an hour to commute. I ride a bike to work. As lock down rules apply – I’m allowed to pass only when I show my ID. My constant companions nowadays are a mask and an alcohol-based hand rub. One of the first things I do as I reach the hospital at 8.a.m is to change my mask as I enter the clinical area. I also remove my mask and wear a fresh mask while moving out. Movement is mainly restricted for covid-19 patients and also the staff handling covid-19 patients. The doffing and donning areas are strictly monitored and staff movement to the patient care area too is based on the patients need. Unnecessary exposure is avoided. Also, while going to the patient area I wear complete PPE - gown, mask, gloves, goggles, face shield, shoe cover, and head cap. 8.30 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. I head straight to the microbiology department to collect all the reports and inform the concerned departments about the same. 9 a.m. I wear a mask and gloves and go on my rounds which include monitoring and surveillance of all infection control practices in all wards. This goes on till nearly 12 p.m. during which time I complete my rounds. I check all the cleaning activities, monitor the dilutions of the cleaning chemicals, examine all the microbiological reports, check the cleaned equipment, check the cleaning protocols, monitor waste segregation practices and check the linen handling practices. I then report about the abnormal reports and communicating with the microbiology HOD and inform about the necessary measures that need to be taken up by the concerned departments. 12 p.m. to 1p.m. we have our training classes for housekeeping, security and front office departments. 1 to 2 p.m. is reserved exclusively for nurses, because they need more details. 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. I take training regarding covid-19 for the billing department, pharmacy department, intern doctors, all staff nurses, lab technicians, housekeeping, security and front office staff. Mainly I train them regarding hand hygiene practices, doffing and donning of PPE, biomedical waste segregation practices, cough etiquette, safe handling of linen, safe handling of sharp equipment and environmental cleaning. Each training session is for one hour and I usually train 2-3 departments a day. I conduct training classes to all the health care personnel regularly and daily. During these sessions we maintain social distance while communicating, always use a hand rub and face mask, and never touch the high-touch surface areas directly. We maintain at least three feet distance while communicating and during training classes at least 4 to 6 feet as there are many people. 3:30 p.m. an updated report is submitted to the Nursing Superintendent regarding all the reports, issues during the rounds, surveillance reports, cleaning activities monitoring reports etc. As times we have meetings and attend these according to the schedule planned. Hand hygiene audit is done daily under silent survey. The critical care departments are thoroughly trained regarding bundle care practices. The hand hygiene survey is to check all the staff regarding how well they are practicing hand hygiene daily and routinely in the hospital. It is mainly to reduce the risk of transmission from the health care personnel to the patients and also the staff. I also ensure that all the protocols have been displayed in all the wards. Conduct of nursing care in the isolation ward: •Nursing assessment of admitted patients •Minimizing the exposure to staff from patient •Do's and don'ts to the patient explained at the bedside with physical distance (3 feet) and the same in poster form displayed in the ward •3 layer surgical mask provided to every patient •7 a.m. the third shift nurse checks vitals, sp02, administers the prescribed drug, GRBS and food distribution (breakfast) •8 a.m. doffing of PPE and going directly to the staff isolation area (hostel) •8 a.m. first shift nurse comes for duty •12 p.m. first shift nurse follows the rounds, checks vitals, and administers medications and food distribution (lunch) •2 p.m. doffing of PPE and go directly to the staff isolation area (hostel) •2p.m. second shift nurse comes to duty •7 p.m. second shift nurse check vitals, administer medications and food distribution (dinner) •8 p.m. doffing of PPE and go directly to the staff isolation area •8 p.m. third shift nurse comes to duty 4 p.m. my duty gets over and I try to reach back home by 5 p.m. After reaching home, I instantly keep all my belongings out of my daughter’s reach. I go for a bath, wash my clothes immediately and only then do I attend to my household activities. I cook for my family and we prefer to eat fresh homemade food. I cook all south Indian dishes and ensure we have a high protein diet. My daily diet consists of egg, milk, fruit juices without ice which is freshly prepared and dry fruits soaked in water. We have non-vegetarian food twice a week. During my free time, I like to spend time with my daughter - playing, chatting, writing, singing and dancing with her. Healthcare workers are most needed during this crisis and I consider myself lucky to be able to care for patients during this difficult time. There are constant developments we get to hear of with regard to the treatment of covid-19, but in the meantime it’s best to adopt all safety measures and continue to practice hand hygiene and wear a mask. Stay strong and stay safe. We will get through this!
A Day In The Life Of A Nurse During Covid-19 Billuri Pushpanjali – Infection Control Nurse, Apollo Medical College Hospital,…
5 Easy Household Chores That Help You Burn Major Calories
5 Easy Household Chores That Help You Burn Major Calories Rakesh Uddiyar Director & Founder Body Wizard Fitness Academy & Celebrity Trainer 1) Sweeping the house is a very common and practical life activity most of us regularly do. The good news is you can burn a good amount of calories with this action. Sweeping for just 10 minutes can help you burn around 37 to 40 calories. This activity requires bending, standing and movement of UR upper body due to the moving of UR hand muscles like biceps brachii, brachialis, coracobrachialis, triceps brachii, anconeus, pronator teres, anterior flexor and posterior extensor. It also involves your mid-section muscles. Sweeping helps to improve UR balance and works on UR core. When you rotate your spine during sweeping, it works on your internal major muscles known as quads, including your rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, the vastus medialis, the vastus intermedius and so on. The whole idea is to move your body with this activity and though there is no particular way to do this, you need to ensure that you don’t put too much stress on one side. Use both your hands and both your legs while sweeping. 2) Making beds in the morning and at night also help to burn calories. This is because you need to fold the bed sheets and reopen it, depending on how many beds you have in the house. If you don’t have many beds to make, you can fold bed sheets instead. Ensure you continue with this activity for at least 10 minutes to burn 23 calories. When you do this chore, there is the involvement of your upper and lower back muscles including the muscles known as trapezius, rhomboid major, levator scapulae thoracic spine, cervical, vertebrae as well as the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, sacrospinalis, especially the longissimus thoracis, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus. Making the bed also works your arm muscles like biceps brachii, brachialis, coracobrachialis, triceps brachii, pronator teres, anterior flexor and posterior extensor. 3) Ironing if you’ve noticed takes a lot of patience and has to be done while you stand. This slow-paced activity is a full upper body workout as it works your shoulders, arms and back. So gather all UR unironed of wrinkled clothes and continue ironing them for at least 20 minutes to burn 50 calories. Ironing requires you to stand. This means 50% of your entire lower body and entire mid-section’s major muscles are involved to do this activity. The muscles engaged during ironing are the lower gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, the vastus medialis, and the vastus intermedius, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, soleus and gastrocnemius. When you iron clothes UR abdominal and midsection muscles are engaged. You also work your shoulders and arm muscles like biceps brachii, brachialis, coracobrachialis, triceps brachii, anconeus, pronator teres, and anterior flexor and posterior extensor. 4) Mopping is a household task that can help you exercise without wasting your time. So if you’re finding it difficult to take the time out for working out – consider your mop as a piece of equipment for exercise. This mundane chore can help you burn 42 calories in 20 minutes. The muscles involved for this activity includes the biceps brachii, brachialis, coracobrachialis, triceps brachii, anconeus, pronator teres, anterior flexor and posterior extensor. You also work your midsection muscles while mopping. This activity not only helps to improve UR strength, it even works on your core. While mopping you rotate your spine so it works on your internal major muscles including your pelvic floor muscles, oblique muscles, abdominal muscles, sacrospinalis group of muscles, diaphragm and the muscles known as lower rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris soleus and gastrocnemius. Depending on the way you choose do this activity, mopping requires a lot of sitting or bending. You can either do mopping standing while moving your hands with the mop from left to right or vice versa, or you can get down on the floor and squat in the Indian toilet position with a mopping cloth in your hand and adopt a left to right hand movement to clean the floor. Either way, you engage many of your muscles with this household chore. 5) Washing dishes can be a good way to unwind and exercise too. So the next time your maid doesn’t turn up – don’t complain but just head to the sink happily and start washing up! This activity will not only help you get your kitchen in order but will also help you lose weight. You can expect to burn 26 calories with 10 minutes of standing at your kitchen sink cleaning utensils. This activity requires the engagement of your upper and lower back muscles which includes the trapezius muscle, rhomboid major, levator scapulae thoracic spine , cervical, vertebrae as well as supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, sacrospinalis, especially the longissimus thoracis, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus. Dish washing also engages the muscles of your upper arms and forearms which include the biceps brachii or simply biceps, brachialis, coracobrachialis, triceps brachii, pronator teres, anterior flexor and posterior extensor.
5 Easy Household Chores That Help You Burn Major Calories Rakesh Uddiyar Director & Founder Body Wizard Fitness Academy &…
5 Common Mistakes We Make While Sitting & Working
5 Common Mistakes We Make While Sitting & Working Leandi Van Zyl (Lead - Sport Science / Strength & Conditioning) Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital 1.Forward chin position While working from home and at the office we tend to lean into our computers to see our screen better. This leads to tense neck muscles that can cause headaches and neck pain. 2.Rounded upper back position When working on our computers or sitting at our desks we tend to round our upper back because of a poor desk position. This leads to problems like tight pectoral/ chest muscles, stretched/ lengthened upper back muscles and an immobile thoracic spine. This posture can also lead to headaches or upper back pain. 3.Elbows higher or lower than the table and computer If your elbows are higher than the table it will cause UR shoulders to be elevated and tense the shoulder and neck muscles. If the table and laptop is lower than your elbows, UR neck and upper back will compensate for this. Both will cause headaches or pain in the neck and shoulders. 4.Posterior pelvic tilt/rounded lower back position A rounded lower back (posterior tilt) will lead to back pain and cause further dysfunction in the upper back region. This position also keeps the spine away from the back rest or the chair which serves as support for the back. 5.Leg position When UR legs stretch too far out it changes the position of the spine and pelvis and UR body moves away from the back rest. If UR feet are in the air or on the seat – it negatively impacts posture and can lead to upper and lower back pain. 5 Easy Steps to Improve Chair Posture 1.Keep the computer at eye level by elevating it on a stack of books or a box or elevating UR desk chair. Make sure head is in line with UR spine. 2.Keep UR upper back straight and leaning against the back rest of the chair 3.Your elbows should be in line with the keyboard and table; adjusting the chair and using a chair with arm rests can be helpful. 4.The best position for the lumbar spine while sitting is for the pelvis to be neutral. This means a slightly arched lower back. The spine should also be straight instead of leaning forward or back. The entire spine should be rested back against the back rest of the chair and the lower back should be slightly arched. 5.Feet should be positioned under the knees or slightly ahead of the knees, to ensure the back is resting against the back of the chair.
5 Common Mistakes We Make While Sitting & Working Leandi Van Zyl (Lead – Sport Science / Strength & Conditioning)…