Top 5 Interventions For Managing Asthma
01
Self-Assessment
For patients suffering from asthma, both oral and written advice is helpful. It guides them to recognize the symptoms and signs of asthma and helps in managing it if it is worsening. Through education, anyone can help the patient to gain their confidence and contain asthma.
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02
Stepwise Progressive Management
In a study conducted by GOAL, it is observed that there is a possibility of attaining total control of asthma. The key to it is utilizing various therapy combinations. The study shows progress by extending the combination therapy for at least three months. It suppresses uncontrolled asthma symptoms. The advantage of combination therapy extends in the ability to control asthma with low corticosteroid doses while minimizing the number of inhalers.
03
SMART (Single Maintenance And Reliever Therapy)
The potential benefit of SMART strategy in the fact that the patient will parallelly receive added doses of inhaled corticosteroids along with a bronchodilator. These doses, when used with a combined inhaler for relief from a symptom. The medication will target anti-inflammatory cells to treat periods of defectively controlled asthma.
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04
Airway Inflammation Assessment
To control airway inflammation, the method of non-invasive biomarkers has administered an alternative way to patient-driven symptom management for the evaluation of asthma. With this non-invasive airway sampling technique, patients with refractory asthma and chronic cough can be managed. Airway inflammation can be assessed too.
05
Other Novel Therapeutic Options
The options include thermal bronchoplasty, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, antifungal agents or IL-5 and monoclonal antibodies targeting IgE. Yet, due to their invasive nature, there are adverse side effects and is not cost-effective. The treatments play a limited role in the management of patients with asthma and usually followed in patients with difficulty related to asthma.
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5 Natural Remedies To Treat Acne Blemishes
Irrespective of gender, acne blemishes are one of the most common problems experienced on a day to day basis. We all try home remedies without seeking professional help, especially during puberty. For some, the ancient Ayurveda treatments work, but it is safe to gather some information before trying them. Here are five home remedies that yield result by reducing oiliness, acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). You can give these try to get rid of them naturally. Aloe Vera Gel provides your skin with the nourishments of vitamin A, C and E. It helps in healing your skin and fade acne scars. It is a natural moisturizer, so it will not cause any further damage or irritation to your skin. Apply the gel generously on your face every day before you go to bed. Leave it overnight for the best results. Baking Soda can be used as your staple cleansing scrub. Make a thick paste made with two parts of baking soda and one part water. Apply it evenly on your skin. Use a moisturizer after washing it off after 20 minutes. It removes the dead skin on the skin and prevents further clogging of the pores. Also, it works wonders on your skin if used once a week. Lemon, the natural acidic nature of the lemon not only heals scars but also revitalize the skin. Use undiluted freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply on the scarred area with cotton. People with sensitive skin should dilute the juice with water and then apply. Once dried, wash it off and moisturize your skin. Practice this twice a week yields better results. Potato Juice's vitamins and minerals quickly act on the scar tissue. Extract potato juice of a medium-sized potato through blending it and squeezing it. Immediately use a cotton ball to apply it on your skin. Let it soak up the dirt in your skin for about 30 minutes and then wash it off. Turmeric, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have shown to speed the process of healing scarred tissues. Apart from that, it also improves the health of your skin. Make a mixture out of lemon juice, honey and turmeric and apply it on your face like a mask. Wash it off after 30 minutes. Follow this as a routine once every week. Natural remedies can make you look beautiful and bring out the best in you. They do not show immediate results but are suitable for your skin health. However, they can cause irritation and dryness of the skin, so use cautiously. Preferably use them at night and wash them after 30 minutes. Use water-based sunscreen if you are going outdoors. However, if a significant change is not noticeable, you can always seek professional help.
Things you should know about UR family doctor
Things you should know about UR family doctor Has he/she renewed their medical license This is very important for every doctor to follow. Sometimes a personal relationship can come in between questioning an important aspect. For the sake of UR loved ones and you, please make sure UR family doctor has a valid license. Addressing this reassures UR trust in your doctor as well. Are they well-versed with new medical practices? It doesn't matter since when you know UR family doctor. It's crucial that UR family doctor is updated with the latest treatments and medical practices. If you find it sensitive to shift, try doing an online consult and get another opinion. It’s so important for people in the medical profession to stay up to date with the latest advancements in medicine & technology. Are they aware of UR family's health history? During times of Emergency knowing yours and UR family’s history can be extremely beneficial. Being aware of UR allergies, medical history, family history, habits, lifestyle and environment play a huge role in times of emergency. Updating UR doctor with UR yearly family health check reports can be a huge leap towards taking responsibility for UR health. Are they available and accessible when you need them? It’s important that UR family doctor makes you a priority and is available when you need them. If they are too busy, it’s worth a change. Comfort is built through availability and accessibility. Remember they need you as much as you need them. Do they have tie-ups with teaching institutes, multi-speciality hospitals and other experts? This can be a deal-breaker because every individual should get the right medical treatment they deserve. UR family doctor should work with a set of experts to gain knowledge as well as a second opinion. Associations with multi-speciality hospitals or educational institutions help gain knowledge as well as access to a trusted network of experts at the time of need. I’m not saying this just because of Apollo, but I know how group practice works and how important it is for the doctor and patients to get a second opinion. UR safety is way more important than the doctor’s ego.
Blood Donation: Should U Do It?
Blood Donation Blood donation is a noble cause and also one of the best ways to know UR body well. Some medical professionals state that donating blood regularly can have a positive impact on health. Donating blood doesn’t necessarily need a reason. It’s more about the vast difference you make in people’s lives. So, knowing what to expect before and after blood donation, can help you prepare for the process. Importance Of Blood Donation Blood donation aims as a voluntary practice that helps those in need of blood transfusion due to an illness or accident. Massive loss of blood can cause an unfortunate death if the requirement isn’t fulfilled immediately. While saving a life is the most highlighted part of donating blood, what makes it essential is the advantages it has on donor’s health. On average, a person can donate up to 4 – 5 litres of blood, after every third month for men and every four months for women. Advantages Of Blood Donation Prevents hemochromatosis Maintains healthy heart & liver Weight loss Anti-cancer Reveals potential health problems Reduces harmful iron stores Stimulates blood cell production Who Can Give Blood? Everyone can give blood if their health condition is excellent. Before you decide to donate blood, these are a few essential things you must keep in mind: Age Weight Health Pregnancy Breastfeeding Your age should be between 18- 65 with at least 50 kgs of weight and not less than that. Health is an essential factor because it is risky to donate blood. Especially if you have an infection or have a chronic ailment such as diabetes if you have recently got a tattoo you can’t donate blood for at least a year. In case of dental procedures, your eligibility for donating blood will depend on how long the process was and how long has it been since you underwent it. If you visited the dentist for a minor procedure, you should wait 24 hours before donating. It is not good idea to donate blood while breastfeeding. Have regular blood pressure and temperature before blood donation. Mandatory Tests & Medical Evaluation Before donating blood, you must undergo a physical examination, to check for any other signs of illnesses or conditions. All donated blood will be screened for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV. Vital signs–The temperature, blood pressure and pulse of a donor are checked before donating blood. Individuals with high BP, fever, high or low heart rate and who have an irregular heartbeat are temporarily not permitted to donate blood. Blood test – A small blood sample is taken from a finger stick and tested, to check for the number of red cells or the haemoglobin level in the blood. This is done to ensure that the donor is not anaemic, or most likely to become anaemic after they donate. Individuals with low haemoglobin are temporarily not permitted to donate. Many of us think that donating blood is harmful for health, but it has many advantages. Apart from just being noble for the society, blood donation justifies the saying “charity begins at home.” You’re only doing good to yourself by donating blood. So, don’t hesitate to donate blood.
How To Make Compost At Home With Kitchen Waste ?
There are so many things that we buy and have no clue how to dispose them properly. Taking the pandemic into account, so many people are buying masks right now, but do they know how to dispose a mask properly? Unfortunately no, and all of this is going to end up in our landfills polluting our precious environment. But, what if I told you that you could make a positive impact on the planet simply by learning how to manage waste properly. From making compost from UR kitchen waste to learning how to manage waste, we have it all covered for you. So, let's work together to stop this endless cycle of garbage! The components of waste could be many things starting from dry waste, packaging, bottles, kitchen waste, hazardous waste (like broken bottles) and other plastics. These components of waste are so vast that when all these various forms of unwanted waste/garbage are combined and picked up by the municipality. With the unavailability of waste management facilities or proper protocols, this waste ends up being dumped in a landfill or in water bodies. The way I look at it is that, until we understand what these landfills can do to our environment, we will not take action to contribute to a better future for our planet. How Landfills Affect Our Environment? Compressed garbage mountains in the landfills are considered to be more harmful than carbon dioxide. It was life-changing when I visited a landfill and saw the impact myself. 60 per cent of biodegradable waste is from our kitchen. It is broken down anaerobically in the landfills, as it is constantly being compressed and this process emits methane. This is one of the deadliest gases, and is considered to be 20x worse than carbon dioxide. We contribute to the greenhouse gases once we discharge kitchen waste out of our homes. It could be in a lake, river, ocean or it's in a plastic cover and a cow could be eating it. So, we really don't know where our garbage ends up! Did you know that Bengaluru produces 4,500 tonnes of garbage/waste everyday? My waste is my responsibility. This is why I chose to live sustainably and not be a burden on the planet. I do my bit by making compost, disinfectant, stashing milk packets and much more. And it just doesn't stop here. There is a dark liquid called leachate which runs out of the landfills, contaminates our groundwater and the soil. The three things which we need to sustain on this planet are air to breath, water to drink and soil to grow our food. We have unfortunately contaminated it all by discharging biodegradable waste out of our homes unnecessarily. If you say no to a landfill, what do you do with the waste ? You can first start by understanding the categories of waste your home or household may generate. All the waste from UR kitchen is organic matter, which should essentially go back to the soil by making compost. If you have a composting facility available in your neighbourhood or city, so you can drop off your organic waste for it to be processed. Did you know that 60 per cent of biodegradable waste is from our kitchen? All the waste from your kitchen is organic matter, which should essentially go back into the soil in the form of compost. For example, the USA has many facilities for recycling and managing waste. India, is yet to introduce waste management centres and reduce its carbon footprint. We have a long way to go. Meanwhile, why don't we take the responsibility of learning the categories of waste and making compost at home? Categories Of Waste 1st category Dry waste(recyclable): Packaging, cardboard, newspapers, cinema tickets, plastic, metal cans, bus tickets and every bit of paper that can be recycled. 2nd category Kitchen/food waste: Vegetable peels, fruit peels, coffee or tea powder. 3rd category Sanitary waste: Medical waste, band-aids, sanitary pads, anything which is body contaminated. Hazardous waste: Broken items like bottles etc. In Bangalore, we have a system called 2 bin 1 bag. The green bin is for your kitchen waste and the red bin is for rejects (things which can't be recycled or composted) goes into that bin. And, the third is your bag which you can hang and collect milk sachets without the ends being snipped fully. Every bit of packaging can be collected, sent to the recycling centre or given to your kabadiwala. In Bangalore, we have recycling centres. 198 wards in total and each ward has a DWCC (Dry waste collection centre). This is one of the ways you can dispose UR dry waste correctly. By not mixing dry waste with other types of waste helps us all contribute to a better world that mitigates climate change together. Another way of making a positive impact on the planet is by making compost. Here is how I make my compost from my kitchen waste at home. How To Make Compost At Home With Kitchen Waste Ingredients Greens: Vegetable peels, fruit peels, coffee or tea powder and leftover food bits (organic matter only) - 1 large bowl Browns: Dried leaves, cardboard or sawdust - 2-3 bowls Microbes: Sour buttermilk- 1 tbsp or cow dung - 2-3 tbsp Container: Terracotta pot, a red mud pot with a lid, or a small bucket with holes (for air circulation) and a lid. Preparation Step 1: Drain out excess moisture from the vegetables and fruit peels in a colander. For example; watermelon or papaya need to be drained of moisture. Use a kitchen towel or a paper napkin to remove the moisture. Cut the large pieces of leftover veggies or fruits for them to break down easily. Step 2: Add the dried leaves in a small container or bowl. Crush the leaves and add the vegetable peels, fruit peels, coffee or tea powder. Mix everything. Now, add the buttermilk or cow dung using the mentioned quantities and mix everything well. Step 3: Transfer everything into a bucket, a pot, or a container with small holes and a lid. Repeat the same action every day. Once in 4 to 5 days turn the ingredients in the container to introduce oxygen, as this is anaerobic composting. Add vegetable peels, fruit peels and Brown's until UR container is completely full. It takes 45 days for the ingredients to break down and become compost. You can repeat the same process in another container for your next batch of compost. Note: Always keep the composter (container) away from the rain. You can use this to fertilise your soil to grow veggies at home. This is how I do my bit and so can you to break the cycle of mismanaging waste and being more mindful. For more information on waste management, log onto these websites Swachagraha or 2bin1bag to find out how you can start managing and making the most out of waste.
Easy Ways You Can Care For UR Hands During COVID-19
We all know that one way of protecting ourselves from the tricky coronavirus is to keep washing our hands with sanitizer or soap, stay indoors and follow other safety measures. One thing all these precautions have in common is that they all require us to touch, wash, clean and move things with our hands. So, scrubbing them several times a day can take a toll on them, making them rough and flaky in texture. You might have also noticed that there are many places on UR body where UR skin varies in texture and thickness, like around UR eyes, neck, lips and the back of UR hands. This is why all these areas need proper care, especially, UR hands. Usually the skin on the back of our hands is thin and lacks any oil glands; in other words, it gets dry and wrinkles faster. Along with dryness, even our nails become brittle, chip or break easily. Here are some fab home remedies which you can DIY! Ways You Can Take Care Of UR Hands Needless to say, it is important to protect UR hands by wearing rubber gloves while doing house chores which may involve washing, gardening, dusting or wiping. After washing UR hands make sure to lather on some hand cream under and around UR nails, massage the front and back of UR hands at night with a good nourishing cream. This is the area prone to early wrinkling. Work down each finger, starting from the tip. Use tiny circular movements on the joints of the fingers. Massage the back of the hand, using strokes moving from the fingers towards the wrist. Fab DIY’s To Keep Ur Hands Soft, Smooth And Healthy For dry hands and nails Mix one tablespoon of almond oil with one tablespoon sesame seed (til) oil and one teaspoon wheat germ oil Apply daily and massage it into the skin Massage around the nails too, in order to soften the cuticles For dry hands Warm some milk and soak your hands in it for ten minutes. To soften the skin and remove tan from UR hands Hand scrub Take half a handful of sugar in UR palm (or in a container), and add lemon juice Mix everything for a minute and apply this mixture on the back of UR hands and gently rub UR hands clockwise and anticlockwise for five-seven minutes on each hand for best results Rinse UR hands with water and moisturize Sunflower oil finger soak Take two tablespoons sunflower oil, two tablespoons lemon juice and three tablespoons Coarse sugar. Mix together till it becomes a paste Apply and rub into hands Wash UR hands after 15 minutes. Do this three times a week Tan remover Take fresh orange peels, pierce them with a fork Rub the peels on the hands to brighten them Remedies for cleansing, softening and tightening UR skin Facepack Choker (wheat bran) and besan (gram flour) mix with turmeric and milk into a paste and apply it on UR hands Wash UR hands after 20 minutes For nail skin softening Mix almond oil and honey in equal parts in a small cup Massage this concoction on UR nails, cuticles and the skin under and over UR fingers and toes For dry nails Warm any vegetable oil and soak fingers in it for ten minutes Wipe UR fingers with a moist towel DIY for dry nails Mix three tablespoons of rose water, two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of glycerin Apply this mixture on UR hands and feet Leave it on for 30 minutes A luxurious overnight treatment for UR hands Take four teaspoons of almond oil, add one tablespoon of rose water Now add half-a-teaspoon of tincture benzoin, drop-by-drop Mix everything together and apply this mixture on UR hands Wear loose cotton socks on the hands and leave it on overnight Remove the cotton socks and rinse your hands with plain water in the morning Bath time is also appropriate for pampering the hands and supplying them with the oil and moisturizing they need. Before your bath, apply warmed oil on the hands and massage it into the skin. This helps to soften the skin. You can use coconut oil, which is very nourishing. Or use pure almond oil. Immediately, after your bath, apply a moisturizing lotion or cream, while the skin is still damp. This helps to seal in moisture. Before bath treatment for hands & full body Twice a week, have a pre-bath treatment by mixing powdered almonds with curd and a pinch of turmeric Apply it on UR hands or full body After 15 minutes, rub the paste gently on UR skin and wash it with water The 5-Step Manicure First, remove old nail polish with a remover. To cut nails, use a nail clipper. Then shape them with an emery board. File in one direction only for uniformity. Soak UR hands in a small bowl of warm water for 5 minutes after adding a few drops of shampoo. Use a soft brush to clean nails. Wash UR hands, then apply cream and massage UR nails and skin. Push UR cuticles back gently using a cotton bud. Keep them soft and smooth. Otherwise, it will stick to UR nail and get dragged as the nail grows. Avoid cutting cuticles or cleaning nails with sharp instruments. Use a cotton bud to clean under UR nails. Then apply the nail polish, using three-long smooth strokes, from the base of the nails to the tip. Use two coats of UR desired colour for an even finish. A few almonds are eaten daily, make the nails strong. Try these DIY remedies and let us know how they work for you!
Dil Ka Doctor
We often forget that our hearts are not just made for falling in love. They help us stay alive and healthy too. All of us know the secrets to a healthy and strong heart lie in the positive changes we make in our lifestyle – a balanced diet and regular exercise can go a long way. But then, how many times have we really applied this to our lives? Keeping that in mind, we may know that binging on junk food isn’t the best choice for our health, but we still go ahead and dig into that bucket of fried chicken! To set things straight, we have Dr Sai Satish, Apollo Hospitals’ Dil-ka-doctor who shares his personal experiences, fitness mantras and tips on how we can come out stronger and healthier during, and after this pandemic. So, let the heart games begin! Rapid Fire with Dr Sai Satish What is UR diet like? The simple thing is to eat as many meals as you can in a day. Eat just enough to feel good at the moment, but make you feel hungry after two hours. This is my trick to keep the metabolism fully-fired. Dr Sai Satish’s Diet As soon as I wake up (7 am): 5 almonds soaked in water overnight Breakfast (8 am): 3 - 4 idlis with ghee, sambar or nallakaram Mid-morning snack (2 hrs later – 10 am): Tender coconut water with the meat of the coconut Lunch (1 pm): 2 fistfuls of rice and 1 fistful of meat or veggies Evening snack (5 pm): Murukku with green tea Dinner (7 pm): Curd rice with omelette and sabji on the side Five Fab Indian Foods We Must Eat For A Healthy-Heart Most of our wisdom has already been passed down to us from our ancestors. We have fabulous indigenous foods high in antioxidants. You’d be surprised to know that ghee is now emerging as a super-food! Five Heart-Healthy Indian Foods Ghee Garlic Turmeric Ginger Onion Bonus: Once a week, try and eat every color you see in nature The basic rule is to eat what you are used to eating. Eat what your grandparents and parents have been telling you to eat. The “Indian Thali” is a fabulous meal! It has 50% of grains, 35% of meats & veggies and 15% of papads & pickles. To me, this is the perfect recipe for good digestion. Many people have a misconception that if they ate like this, they would become fat. It’s a myth! Your lean body mass is your greatest asset, so your goal should be to increase it (muscle and bone density). Your muscle is your most efficient fat burning machine. Eat what you’re comfortable eating as your primary food. For example, if you are used to eating rotis, then eat rotis. If you are used to eating rice, then eat rice. There is no point in demonizing rice or roti. You don’t need to switch to or add fancy foods like kale. However, if your grandparents ate burgers, you should be more conscious and mindful by choosing the healthy foods your grandparents should have eaten, minus the burgers! Food Myths That Affect UR Heart Myth: Eating too much rice is bad for you! Fact: No. Rice is a fabulous source of carbohydrates. If you are used to eating rice, it’s not bad for you. Let’s take ghee as an example. People have demonized ghee as an unhealthy fat for years. Today, ghee has emerged as a super-food, as I said earlier. It has so many amino acids, and it’s good for UR heart as well. Like the Indian maxim goes, anything in excess, even if it’s amrutam (elixir of life) is poison. Is drinking a glass of wine good for your heart? Any form of alcohol is bad for you. But I like my alcohol. There! I’ve said it! Bear in mind that with moderation, one can drink alcohol and still be out of harm’s way. The younger UR, the more relaxed you can afford to be. I call it “The Rule Of Tens.” There are things that you can do in UR ’20-’30s, which you shouldn’t do when UR 30-40, and 40-50. By 50, you should give-up drinking so you can reach a glorious 100. There’s a beautiful study on habits that made people centenarians, and giving up alcohol is one of them. If UR used to drinking one glass of wine or 30 ml of whisky every day, I don’t think it will harm you. It may help you relax, but not many of us are people with enough discipline to control our urges and temptations. We go partying and end up having a few drinks (myself included!). My logic used to be that if I have to drink only 30ml of alcohol, I would rather not drink at all. My favorite thing was telling people, as a cardiologist, I have the right to prescribe alcohol. I’ll prescribe you UR drinks. Why has that changed now? When you start working out, you realize that alcohol slows down muscle building and protein synthesis. The key for you to stay slim and look healthy is to have lean muscle. For UR body to build muscle, you workout. We are all aware of that beautiful pain after our workout sessions. This signifies the damage you have done to muscle fibers (by working out) that your body will now have to repair using protein, and alcohol slows this process of rebuilding drastically. So, what I do is, the day I drink, I don’t exercise, and I don’t exercise the day after that either. Ever since I’ve started following this, I’ve had zero injuries. The quarantine period is not a holiday period, so for anyone who is drinking every day, I strongly advise them to cut down or stop. What are the COVID protocols that you, as a doctor, are maintaining at home? I haven’t caught a cold in ten years! It’s because I follow two simple rules: I never touch my face with my hands I never touch or eat any food without my hands being washed or sanitized No matter what I’m doing, my hands will never touch my face, and I never catch a cold. So, it is just a little extension of that with COVID. The first thing I did at home is, Informed all my staff to stay in-house and assured them that I would look after them the best I can. No going home and coming back. Whoever could work in-house stayed. Those who couldn’t be returned to their respective homes. Only necessary people can come inside the house. A virus is most deadly when it is new. We are all going to become COVID positive at some point, but the later we become COVID positive, the healthier we can be. So, the trick is to stay away from the virus as long as you can. Restrict and limit yourself in the beginning so that you can ease off towards the end. The government is doing a fabulous job, and we just have to run with it. 5 Symptoms Of A Heart attack/ Stroke Globally the number of heart attacks has come down. Multiple things have made this possible. People are less stressed, they are staying at home, smoking less, eating healthy food, and they have become more mindful because they are home. So, the global heart attack rate has dropped drastically across the country. Coming back to UR question, the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke can be varied and diverse. Tightness in UR chest, like someone, has forcefully put their knee on UR chest and you can’t get it off. Choking sensation in UR throat Sweating and lightheadedness Pain radiating in UR left arm Jaw pain Nothing is typical today. It is better to treat any uneasiness/symptoms like it’s a heart attack than ignore it. To avoid going to the hospital because COVID might kill you, for a heart attack that will definitely kill you, is stupidity. We, at hospitals, are more mindful of COVID than you are as a patient. We all want one less COVID patient to treat, so we are all the more careful that you don’t fall sick. If you are in doubt, don’t take a group of people to the hospital. Go with one person and get yourself checked. Treat any uneasiness in the chest like a heart attack, rather than treating it as a gastric issue. Better to be safe than sorry. What should the patient or a family member do in case of an emergency? If there is an emergency at home, don’t wait or waste time. If you have someone who can drive, and if you feel you will reach the hospital faster than an ambulance, then get into the car and make UR way to the hospital. The key is to make it to the hospital you trust. Don’t do or give the patient anything, because they can choke on water or if you give them Sorbitrate, it might drop her/his blood pressure. Just get UR family member to the hospital ASAP. That is the only mantra I want you to remember – single-minded focus to get to the ER in the hospital. If unfortunately, the person stops breathing then give the patient 50 - 60 compressions on their chest every 30 seconds until you reach the hospital. If you have an AED machine in the house and know how to use it, try and revive the person. This machine doesn’t cost much, and it is good to have in the house if there are senior citizens living there. But the key, as I’ve said before, is to get the patient to the hospital. Why is it important for doctors to be on social media? My passion is to make sure as many people as possible DO NOT need me! To put it simply, all the technology and infrastructure which has been built and all the skills I’ve mastered over the years should be made redundant by looking after UR health. I want you to become more conscious about making yourself healthy, rather than seeking a better expert to look after you when you are sick. This can only be achieved by reaching out to the greatest number of people possible in a day, and that’s what social media does for me. No matter how hard I work, I can only see a limited number of people at the hospital. 5 simple rules of life The less you eat, the longer you live The more you walk, the longer you live The more you laugh, the longer you live Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day And go for a health check every year Carve out 10 minutes in a day for something that you love and enjoy doing the most. Take that time to read a Tinkle or an Astrix comic. Meet friends at least once a week. So many studies say that the people who meet friends regularly live longer than the people who don’t. Make good friends and once a year, don’t forget to get a health check. Check UR sugar, blood pressure and stay healthy. Did you know that 70 percent of all diseases which can kill you are in UR hands to prevent? Don’t worry about the things you can’t change, like if UR Indian you will die sooner or if UR a diabetic UR going to die sooner. Boohoo, so what? Change what you can. Stop smoking. Laugh, eat right, workout and have fun! Are doctors insecure about nutritionists and can doctors prescribe diets? I have no business prescribing a diet. But, what I can tell you to do is that you have to eat right. If you have someone who is dedicated to teaching you how to eat right, then they’re making my job easier! I should be grateful to them and not feel threatened. There is no place on this planet anymore for insecure doctors. You, as a patient or as a concerned loved one, have the right for a second opinion. If UR doctor is insecure about it, then you may need to change UR doctor. It is UR, birthright. Every doctor should realize - the biggest honor anyone can do is bring someone they love and hand them over to you for care. UR not doing a patient any favors and there is no room for insecurity. If a nutritionist is making your job easy, you should tip your hat to her/him and thank them, instead of disagreeing with them. As a doctor, my job is to heal people from diseases, and a nutritionist’s job is to help people stay healthy. The key is to hold a nutritionist hand-in-hand and walk the grey areas. Not compete for that place. You (nutritionists) fix everybody, so they don’t come to me (cardiologist), and if they slip by you, then I will take care of them. That’s how I look at it!
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How To Care For UR Skin During Lockdown
Are you wondering why UR skin is breaking out even during the lockdown? With the world going helter skelter over the COVID-19 pandemic we sometimes forget to tend to ourselves, which can start to reflect on our skin. We expected the lockdown to finally give our skin the break it needed but you feel UR skin’s doing the complete opposite! We might be still getting used to the new norm of tending to our house hold chores without help and working for long hours at home, which is just not giving us the much needed me time. Instead of stressing about what comes ahead, let’s focus on our overall well-being. With that being said let’s first understand what’s really happening to our skin while we are at home during lockdown. UR Skin During Lockdown? You’re not wrong to think that your skin is finally getting the break it deserves from dust, pollution, makeup and extreme sun exposure during the lockdown. What you may forget is that watching the news, reading forwarded messages and anything related to COVID is stressing you not just mentally, but physically as well. Stress can cause unnecessary anxiety, breakouts, sleepless nights and other skin concerns that reflect on your skin’s health. Did you know that 50% of skin diseases are related to the nervous system? Here’s exactly what you need to do to improve UR skin & Hair health! Chase the sun in UR home Your body is meant to be in the sun, and exposure to sunlight during the day is crucial to your overall well-being. Try to look for sunny areas in UR home to get at least 20 minutes of sunlight early in the morning in the comfort of UR home. Moisturize UR Skin Care for your skin, follow a minimal but effective skincare routine, which involves cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliating UR skin. Try not to overdo or complicate your skincare routine. An effective skincare routine just needs three four things; a cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and UR commitment. Call & Consult UR Dermatologist Stay in touch with your dermatologist virtually or visit them while following all the safety precautions. Even though it is tough during the lockdown to get back into the routine of visiting our doctor, we should still make an effort to care for our skin however we can at the moment. Eat Healthy UR gut health is the key to skin health. Eat food which helps boosts your skin health. Avoid excessively oily and fried food. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables, try putting fruit peel or a fruit on UR face to refresh UR skin. A Little Bit Of Exercise Goes A Long Way Exercising for as little as ten minutes can help you stay active, improve blood circulation and skin health. Moreover, exercise has always proven to improve UR mood, blood regulation and skin health. Exercise a little everyday! Dispose One-Time Use Masks Avoid reusing one-time use masks this can cause skin rashes, breakouts or rashes, all of which can be avoided. Dispose UR one-time use masks after every use. If UR using reusable cotton masks, make sure you wash them after every use to avoid contamination. Follow protocols at all times to stay safe. Wash UR Hands Before Touching UR Face Since most of us have to do our own chores we may sometimes just use our hand to scratch our face. This is a big no-no, especially this time around. Always make sure your hands are clean and sanitized before you touch UR face. Try and use wet wipes to clean your face if oily or moist from wearing the mask. Get UR Beauty Sleep! During sleep, UR skin’s blood flow increases, while UR skin rebuilds its collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure. A beauty sleep of 7-8 hours can help in reducing premature skin ageing, dark circles, puffy skin and age spots. Pamper Yourself It is essential for us to pamper our skin and ourselves during this lockdown to keep our skin healthy. Applying masks, exfoliating your skin when required can help refresh your skin. Don’t overload on many products before going outdoors as extra product clogs pores, cause oiliness and also cause acne breakouts. Make sure to follow these tips to keep your skin healthy during lockdown! Lastly, spending most of your time at home might make you abandon your daily skincare routines as well. Staying in touch with your dermatologist will help you keep your skin healthy and fabulous even during this dreadful lockdown. Once you have a simple daily skin routine chalked out, nothing can stop you. Stay at home, stay safe, stay healthy!
Seed Cycling: A Natural Way To Balance UR Hormones
Do you or someone you may know have irregular periods frequently and is looking for a natural remedy rather than turning to allopathy? Then, I have some news for you. A nutrition practice named seed cycling has been rediscovered and is working its wonders in helping women help balance their hormone levels, manage and cure their hormonal side-effects. Seed cycling is a naturopathic method to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle. It is believed to balance hormones, boost fertility, and ease symptoms of menopause using the nutrients found in seeds. Seed cycling can help to alleviate present-day problems like PMS, fertility issues, reduce pain from conditions like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PCOS, and regulate irregular cycles. It can be useful for women who are menstruating, pre-menopause, postpartum, and post-menopause. Due to the lifestyle changes, women across the globe are suffering from conditions like PCOD, PCOS or infertility. Seed cycling is rediscovered as it provides nutrition to the body and has negligent side effects, all while aiding menstrual health. It is becoming a popular method as it is delivering promising results. It is working wonders under the wings of a certified nutritionist in the health, wellness and fitness industry. The thought behind seed cycling is that particular type of seeds, for example; pumpkin, flax, and chia can help manage estrogen levels, progesterone and different essential hormones in UR body. Synchronizing your utilization of mixed seeds with your menstrual cycle can purportedly alleviate hormone-related symptoms, for example, PMS, PCOS, irregular periods, hot flashes, and by and significant increment your level of prosperity. Some even claim that seed cycling can help you solve problems related to pregnancy. Seed cycling helps balance hormones. It is done in two stages. Stage 1: The first 13-14 days of your menstrual cycle is all about regulating the estrogen hormone. It is termed as the follicular phase. Stage 2: In the second half of the menstrual cycle, the seeds tend to regulate the progesterone hormone. This phase is termed as the luteal stage. The most common method for seed cycling is to eat 1 tablespoon each of freshly grounded flaxseed and pumpkin seeds per day during the follicular phase. For the luteal phase, seed cyclers eat 1 tablespoon each of ground sunflower and sesame seeds every day until the first day of their next period. Health Benefits • Though science is unable to prove its effects as they are taken in two stages, seed cyclers share their testimony that it provides many health benefits. • Regulates menstrual cycle by establishing a hormonal rhythm between estrogen and progesterone. • Reduces skin acne, and improves the health of the skin. • Stunts and suppress the growth of cysts resulting in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). • Apart from the above, it is proven beneficial to people dealing with infertility, menopause, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and mood swings • It also helps you to improve thyroid hormone levels, hair health, weight loss, and water retention. • Taking flax, pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds as a part of your diet is a really fantastic way to achieve good health as all four seeds are rich in fibre, manganese, magnesium, copper, thiamine, vitamin E, and healthy fats. These nutrients are vital to maintaining good health. • These seeds may help you to reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. • The Combination of flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds seem to protect against breast cancer. Seed cycling takes a few cycles (3-4 months) to start feeling changes. Seed cycling isn't a short-term fix or meant to cure severe health or hormonal conditions. However, it is an incredible yet delicate and healthy approach to help your hormones and control your cycle. We recommend keeping a track your symptoms through the cycle so you can look back to see impacts over time. Precautions • Always grind your seeds as whole seeds are not digestible by the body. Grinding them ensure the maximum absorption of nutrients. • Keep track of your symptoms before and after seed cycling for comparison. • If any of the ingredients are causing you discomfort, do consult your physician. • Take a balanced and healthy diet • Exercise regularly Willing to get on board with seed cycling? We suggest the recipe of "Bliss Balls" for phase one and "Bliss Ladoos" for phase two of seed cycling. Pumpkin Seeds: • Pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants that fight inflammation like carotenoids and vitamin E. • Pumpkin seeds may help to a reduced risk of stomach, breast, lung, prostate and colon cancers • Improve Prostate and Bladder Health • High source of magnesium • Improve Heart Health • Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc mineral, so they can boost the quality of sperms. • Might to make your sleep better. Sunflower Seeds: Sunflower seeds have an exceptionally high concentration of vitamin E and selenium. These compounds protect the cells of your body from free radical damage and protect you from several chronic diseases. Vitamin B1 (thiamine extract) and electrolytes in sunflower seeds can provide vast quantities of energy in the body to keep it agile and active. The magnesium content in the seeds helps push toxins out of our body and detox naturally. Sesame seeds Contain high methionine and cysteine compounds that help with muscle and tissue growth in the body. Compounds like lignans, vitamin E and other antioxidants in sesame seeds can prevent plaque build-up in the arteries and protect you from fluctuating blood pressure.
How Emotions Affect UR Immunity
Our mind and body are eternally interlinked. Ailments of the body can manifest as psychological problems. Likewise, matters of mind like stress and anxiety can affect the functioning of the body and its responses, including immunity. Emotion is derived from the Latin term 'emovere', which means to stir up, to agitate and to excite. Emotions can be broadly grouped into two categories - positive and negative. Extroverts tend to be more socially active and are better at expressing their feelings. On the other hand, introverts tend to be withdrawn; hence, they conceal their emotions. People with good emotional health are aware of their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. They have learned to cope with the stress and problems in a healthy way. It is well established that denial or suppression of emotions is not an effective strategy to deal with emotions. Infact it makes it worse. It is therefore essential that we acknowledge our feelings, reflect on its nature, and if unhelpful then put them aside as much as possible. The Covid-19 pandemic has unleashed an epidemic of emotional reactions such as fear, anxiety, sadness and stress. While many will experience transient anxiety, some will be pushed over the cusp, wherein their unremitting concern will turn into an ailment, or medical condition called anxiety disorder. Impact of emotional problems on health During emotional crisis one may ignore self-care, eat unhealthy diet, avoid activities or exercise. They may resort to maladaptive coping with alcohol, tobacco or tranquilising medicine (sleeping/calming pills). This has a negative bearing on general health. And when stress or stressors persist over a prolonged period, our 'fight or flight response' remains activated and that's not good for our health as it releases excessive stress hormones, and can wear us down physically and psychologically. Well established consequences of prolonged or recurring stress include high blood pressure, heart disease, stomach ulcer, as well as psychological problems like anxiety, depression and addiction. Unremitting stress can also over-activate the immune system - worsen arthritis and psoriasis, acne and even trigger asthma attacks. Besides, it can make you vulnerable to infections and allergies. There is evidence that an effectively managed stress and emotions can have a positive impact on the nervous and immune system. For instance, relaxation activities such as massage, humour, listening to music, reading can have a benefit on overall health and reduces stress hormones in the body. Express UR feelings in an appropriate way If feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety are causing problems, keeping these feelings inside can make you feel worse. They say "a problem shared is a problem halved", which means when in difficulty it is useful to talk to someone about it. In doing so, you share the burden, move onto solutions and in the process, learn about yourself. It's is essential to deal with negative feelings, but also focus on the positive things in UR life. It will help if you also find ways to let go of things in UR life that are unhelpful while making time for things you enjoy. So, it's okay to let UR loved ones know when something is bothering you. Moreover, keep in mind that UR family and friends may not always be able to help you deal with your feelings appropriately. At these times, try asking someone outside the situation for help. A professional can provide independent, timely and objective advise/support that might help you bounce back as well as improve your emotional health. Other strategies for a balanced life • Even in difficulties, make an effort to resume and maintain a healthy and active routine with balanced diet and exercise (30 - 45 mins of moderate-intensity for 4-5 days per week) • To manage our reactions, we need to acknowledge, understand and accept our emotions. In doing so, we shall cope better and come out of this crisis being more resourceful, rejuvenated and rested. Meditation is an effective and time tested strategy to bring about emotional awareness and mind-body harmony. • Take care of UR body by having enough sleep - ideally 7-8 hours per night. Sleep is essential for rest and recovery from day to day assaults on our body and mind. • Avoid abuse of alcohol or drugs as they can worsen UR health, UR anxiety and relationship problems. • Remember, to be grateful for what you have, think positive, curb negative thoughts where possible, smile more often, and do things to keep yourself positive and happy. • A consistently balanced life is a healthier life. Developing resilience Resilience is the ability to face stress and challenges and to bounce back and recover. To develop resilience, one ought to take up and face challenges and reflect on the difficulties while finding solutions. In doing so, one learns to improvise and move from problems to a solution orientation. Other methods include mobilising social support, keeping a positive view of yourself, accepting change, and keeping things in perspective. An emotionally stable person is thus at a much better position to develop resilience. Emotional awareness is not just crucial for a peaceful, calm and healthy life and healthy relationships, but it also has a positive impact on UR immunity. As a lack of it can contribute to building up of stress, which compromises immunity and makes one susceptible to infection and other ailments. Dr Roshan Jain, 16 May 2020
Unbelievably Easy Ayurvedic Remedies For Lustrous Hair
Long, lustrous and healthy hair is something that we all desire, whether UR a man or a woman. Hair is one of the most prominent features, which accentuates our physical appeal and boosts self-confidence. As per Ayurveda, our hair health is a direct result of how well our bone tissue (marrow), focal sensory system and our gut function individually. This simply means, that any concerns which may arise and involve the health of UR bone tissue, sensory(neural) system and gut related framework can compromise UR hair health too! Growing hair concerns can vary from thinning, hair fall, dandruff, balding and eventually hair loss when we neglect our health or throw our dosha off balance. According to Ayurveda, there are three doshas as we know; Vata represents Air and Ether energy mechanisms within one’s body. Pitta represents the Fire energy system in one’s body. Kapha represents the mechanisms of Water and Earth energy in one’s body. All of which are our life-feuling energies which flow through all of us. When any of the three dosha’s are imbalanced, it starts to reflect on UR overall well-being like; UR skin, hair, mood, menstrual cycle, hormones and much more. But, not to worry, Ayurveda has a solution for everything and even UR hair concerns! If you want to know which dosha/Prakriti you may belong to before getting started then take our dosha quiz. Dosha Hair Characteristics, Concerns & Hair Masks Vata Prakriti Hair Characteristics Vata Prakriti type individuals have thin hair, but sometimes often shaggy. This type of person has straight or curly hair or a combination of both. Anyone belonging to the Vata Prakriti may also have dandruff and split ends. Hair growth is quick when compared to other doshas. 2 Ingredient Hair Mask for Vata Dosha Ingredients Banana: 1 Honey: 2 tbsp 1. Mash the banana while adding two tablespoons of honey in it. 2. Whisk it thoroughly to make a fine paste. 3. Section UR hair and apply this mask on UR scalp and hair gently with a brush, spoon or with UR hands. Let it sit in UR hair for about 45 minutes. Wash UR hair with UR regular shampoo or hair cleanser. Aloe Vera & Almond Oil Conditioning Hair Pack For Vata Dosha Ingredients Aloe Vera: ¼ cup Almond oil: ¼ cup Method 1. Mix ¼ cup of natural Aloe vera gel from the plant and ¼ cup of almond oil. 2. Section UR hair and apply this mix all over UR scalp and hair. 3. Leave it for about 20-30 minutes before washing it off with herbal cleaners. Pitta Dosha Hair Characteristics Pitta Prakriti individuals usually have straight and soft hair. They may also have hair concerns like hair loss and early greying of hair. Easy Hair Mask For Pitta Dosha Ingredients Licorice powder: 1 tbsp Hibiscus powder: 1 tbsp Brahmi powder: 1 tbsp Amla powder: 1 tbsp Curd: 2 tsp Method 1. Mix all powders. Add two spoons of curd and stir to make a smooth paste and add water if required. 2. Apply it on UR hair. Let the mask absorb in UR hair. Rinse after 30 minutes with cold water and herbal shampoo. Kapha Dosha Hair Characteristics Kapha Prakriti hair type individuals usually have healthy, thick and shiny. Kapha individuals tend to have oily and wavy hair. When the Kapha dosha is imbalanced, many people can notice dandruff flakes in the hair. Scalp & Hair Cleansing Mask For Kapha Dosha Ingredients Triphala powder: 2 tbsp Water: 1 cup Method 1. Soak two tablespoons of Triphala powder in 1 cup of water overnight. 2. Use as a scalp and hair cleanser by rubbing it into the scalp and on the hair filaments. 3. Use this hair mask twice a week to keep UR hair and scalp clean. Try these hair masks to condition, strengthen, cleanse, control hair fall, avoid dandruff and other hair concerns.
UR Guide To Relaxing Detox Baths
Imagine sliding into a tub of warm water, infused with essential oils and bath salts after a stressful day. Isn’t it relaxing just with the thought? Well, that’s what a detox bath does. It is a natural way to eliminate toxins from the body that we’re probably not even aware of. A detox bath involves natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients such as ginger, Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate), and aroma oils to be added to warm water. You can soak yourself in it for an hour. It helps in eliminating toxins and stress from the body. So, here is a list of five kinds of detox baths and their benefits you could choose to relax from. Did you know? Epsom salts are used for more than 4 centuries to cure skin rashes and minor skin injuries. They help ease muscle soreness and pain. It is effectively observed to relieve stress. Types Of Detox Baths Salt Detox It is made of equal parts of sea salt or Himalayan salt, Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, baking soda and 10 drops of lavender oil. Dissolve the salts and baking soda in warm water. Add apple cider vinegar and essential oil directly in the tub. The lavender oil makes your skin glow and is often used in aromatherapy for its healing properties. The salts cleanse pores without stripping the natural oil of the skin. Clay Detox This bath needs equal parts of bentonite clay, Epsom salt and 10 drops of your choice of essential oil. Make a paste of bentonite clay and warm water and apply it on the skin. Wait for 5 minutes (to dry) and then jump into the tub with the essential oil and Epsom salt. The clay draws our lot of toxins from the skin through adsorption. It replenishes the skin and soothes acne inflammation too. Mustard Detox For this, you would need equal parts of mustard powder and Epsom salt. It is best if you powder the mustard seeds just before the bath. It is a prevalent ancient remedy in England for aches and skin purification. It stimulates blood circulation and relieves congestion as well. You may sweat a lot while taking a mustard detox bath, so make sure you are well hydrated. It is normal to feel tired and or lightheaded after a detox bath. Before trying any of the ingredients, do consult a professional if you suffer from any skin conditions or health issues. UR Checklist Avoid ingesting the swallowing the bathwater as it could affect kidney function. The water would be highly contaminated with lead and pesticides also. It is advised to try soaking for 15 - 20 minutes, initially, and then extend it to half an hour or an hour. Dissolve the bath salts in hot water. Always rinse off with cold water. Always moisturise after a detox bath. Best time to take these baths are in the evening period, helps you to rest afterwards. If you are not convinced, use a local detox like foot detox or armpit detox. Make sure of using quality products.
How life would C.H.A.N.G.E for youngsters post the quarantine period?
How life would C.H.A.N.G.E for youngsters post the quarantine period? Dr. Rithvik Ryaka, International Business & Life Coach, Celebrity Wellness Mentor, Inspirer and Trainer Here are the six ways to take care of your Career & Finances from today! C: Change in Job? First and foremost, if you are employed as of now, try to get assurance from your employer that your current job is safe. This is important as the employer may also consider changes in the approach to the changing scenario. You need to be performing at your best than ever before, to be considered by the employer as of now, to stay on the job. This is crucial because you do not know when the employer might consider the removal of staff later. H: Hustle your time to learn If you are in college, you might be attending online lectures which are mandatory to cover the syllabi. What other webinars/lectures have you considered these days to study non-academic? There is ample time to consider a few things like Communication skills which will benefit you in the longer run. A sufficient number of platforms offer free courses online. Do check them out with the help of your mentors in college. A: Accept the reality of the world There might be a lot of initiatives by the Government outside your home, city and even the country. Remember that these are not in your control. You cannot consider doing something against the law, which might have been allowed earlier before the lockdown. It is better to cut down unnecessary expenses for the next few months. N: Not to accept rumours on social media This is a critical point to be understood. Do not follow the steps above with the opinions directly seen on social media. Every country has different scenarios as per their laws. Do not fall prey to few posts from unverified sources. At the same time, you should also not share any information if you are not sure about its origin. This is important because decisions related to finance and career should happen through sustainable ideas with mentoring from elders. G: Go online to learn and earn! This is the best time to learn a new skill and master it without spending much money. Remember that it is just not a resume-building activity. You should engage with it actively for its knowledge and not the certificate which is awarded later. You might even re-join a few courses you had left earlier due to lack of time or any other reason. You can freelance and earn with this skill, even post lockdown. E: Exercise out of the comfort zone! Do not neglect your health by getting tensed about the uncertain future! Remember that you are giving your best. You cannot do complete justice to your mind if you are ignoring your body. Do not expose your eyes to extreme screen time on laptops or mobiles. Stick to a proper routine to manage time as you may also need to assist family members for various errands during this tough time. Majority of youngsters have been pondering over the uncertainty because of the lockdown. The primary point to be addressed is that her professional life includes one’s own choices, but this is the crucial time to depend on your top skills than the passion for being realistic. Youngsters should reach out to elders who can help them to learn new skills. Whatever happens or is bound to happen, keep learning and updating yourself and also keep your family informed about your approach towards career and finance. Keep the hope alive and accept the CHANGE. Everything is possible with heart!
