Dementia: 5 early warning signs of dementia

 (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)

 Mild forgetfulness is normal among people of all age groups. We all have days when we cannot find our wallet or car keys or cannot remember the name of our ex-colleague we suddenly met after years. Our mind is occupied processing different activities of the day that we sometimes miss out on small details of less importance. It is termed problematic when it turns severe and starts interfering with our daily activities.

With age, we become more prone to develop mental health conditions known as dementia. It is not a specific disease, but a group of conditions characterised by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgement. Studies suggest that before the onset of dementia, there are some subtle warning signs. Although, there is no cure for this mental health condition nor it can be prevented, starting the treatment early can help you manage it in a better way. Here are 5 early warning signs of dementia.

Inability to detect speech

According to a new study carried out by the Oxford researchers, inability to detect speech in a noisy surrounding can also signify the increased risk of dementia. Inability to detect speech can be generally considered to be a sign of hearing impairment, but Oxford researchers have linked it with dementia as well. According to the researchers, those who struggled to hear in the loud environment were twice as likely to get dementia as those who had no difficulty in hearing.

Memory loss

Memory loss is one of the initial symptoms of dementia. A person on the verge of developing this condition often finds it difficult to recall information. They rely on family and friends to keep a track of such details. People who occasionally forget about an incident and later recall it is not characterised as dementia. It is just an age-related issue.

 Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks

With dementia, carrying out even basic tasks like making a cup of tea and operating a computer becomes difficult. These are some tasks you may have done for several years yet find it challenging to complete. You may face this difficulty at work or home.

 Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word

People with dementia may also find it hard to engage in conversation or put their thoughts into words. They may forget what they were talking about or what the other person else has said. Holding a conversation with such a person can be difficult, and it may take longer to conclude. Many people even start to spell incorrectly or make grammatical mistakes or their handwriting becomes difficult to read.

 Mood change

You can easily identify the signs of dementia by the frequent mood change. Sometimes you may feel jolly and full of life while others may look grim. There would be a gradual shift in the personality, which would be quite evident. People suffering from depression are also at risk of developing this condition.

 

The right way to manage your cholesterol level, as per an expert

 (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)

01 Tips to manage your cholesterol level

High cholesterol level is the growing problem among the people of the modern age. Not only older adults, but even the younger population is said to be suffering from this health condition. The rising concern has also given way to several misconceptions related to it like how it is caused, how to manage it and what to eat, and what to avoid. To put an end to all these fallacies, Celebrity Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar recently took to her Instagram handle and shared a video where she enlightened her followers about cholesterol. In her 30 minutes long video, she spoke about the types of cholesterol, ways to manage them and also busted some myths related to it.

02 What is cholesterol?

Firstly, cholesterol isn't just fat as widely believed by many. It is a sterol, a type of lipid, made from part fat and part protein. It is a waxy substance found in your blood and needed to build healthy cells. This is considered problematic when its level in the blood rises, which gives way to heart problems. There are mainly four kinds of cholesterol

HDL- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or good cholesterol helps to remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. It contains more protein and less fat.

LDL- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or bad cholesterol deposits excess cholesterol in blood vessel walls and increases the risk of heart disease. It contains more fat and less protein.

VLDL- Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol is produced in the liver and delivered into the bloodstream to supply body tissues with a type of fat. It has little protein and a very high-fat content.

TG- Triglycerides or TG are the most common type of fat in the body, which helps to store excess energy from your diet.

03 The ideal level of cholesterol in your blood

Generally, when we get our cholesterol level tested, the report reveals the number of all the four types of fat present in the body. As per Rujuta, the total level of cholesterol in a healthy person should be below 200 mg/dL, but the catch is that the level of LDL should be high in it and others should be low. The total cholesterol level doesn't actually provide you with a clear picture. So, here is what the level of each type of cholesterol should be:

HDL: 50 mg/dL and above

LDL: 100 mg/dL to 150 mg/dL

VLDL: 25 mg/dL and under

TG- 150 mg/dL and under

04 ​Do fatty foods affect your cholesterol?

It is a common misconception that fatty foods can increase your cholesterol level due to which most people give up on them. Rujuta said the truth is that not all fatty foods are harmful. "Foods rich in natural fats are not the ones that contribute to high cholesterol levels. Skipping these won't bring the cholesterol level down," she said. "In fact, doing that would make us more prone to nutrient deficiencies," she added.

Rujuta recommends having all kinds of foods naturally rich in fats like whole eggs, nuts (cashews, walnuts, almonds, peanuts), meat, mutton, seafood and dairy products. Even for oil, she suggests using the one locally used in your region for cooking purposes like mustard oil, groundnut oil, coconut oil and sesame oil.

"Cooking in oil or eating fatty foods is not a problem if you are using them as your grandmother used to do. Excess of anything is harmful," she warned. "For oil, avoid the one that is promoted as low in cholesterol because any kind of oil made from natural sources has no cholesterol in it," the nutritionist clarified.

05 What puts you at risk?

Foods are definitely not something that increases the risk of high cholesterol. Lifestyle factors have a major role to play. Here are a few things that may increase cholesterol levels.

Inactivity

Smoking

Alcohol intake

Genetic factors

Age

Gender

Diets (fasting and removing food groups)

06 ​What to do to control your cholesterol level?

To bring your cholesterol level back to normal, first of all, eat healthy and home-cooked foods. Rujuta suggests that feasting should be once a blue moon thing. Rest of the year, eat healthy, seasonal and local foods. She also insists on avoiding packaged and highly processed food.

When it comes to exercising, include strength training in your regime for 2 days a week. The rest of the time, try yoga, stretching, exercising, and even walking is good. But be consistent and regular.

Apart from diet and exercise, try to manage your stress level and sleep on time.

 

Coronavirus: Can COVID-19 spread through tears? Here are a few ways to keep your eyes safe

 (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)

01 Can coronavirus spread through tears?

We know that COVID-19 is a highly transmissible disease of the upper respiratory system that spreads when someone inhales a droplet expelled by an infected person. However, with the virus mutating and evolving, there are still a lot of mysteries that remain unsolved about the transmission of the newer strain of the SARS-COV-2 virus. While there has always been speculative studies about a possible means of the virus spreading through bodily fluids, newer studies have actually hinted that it may actually be possible. One such study, carried out by Amritsar's Government Medical College has found out that the tears of the infected COVID patients have the potential to transmit the virus to a healthy person.

02 What have the researchers found?

Viral transmission through bodily fluids has always remained a remote possibility. According to new research, experts have now found that from a given sample database collected and tested for COVID transmission, about 17.5 per cent was transmitted through tears. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of viruses in tears of the infected patients even if they do not show any ocular manifestation.

A similar study, published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology revealed that infectious viruses can be present in tears with or without ocular involvement.

Based on these new findings, experts have also suggested that there could be a newer means of COVID transmission to be careful of, and opticians, ophthalmologists, and people working in personal care sectors like salons and beauticians can be at a higher risk of infection via fluid secreted from the eyes.

03 How can tear droplets act as carriers of the virus?

While there's only few research which has indicated the transmission of coronavirus through tears, there have been multiple studies published through the years, which have pointed out that in fact, different kinds of viruses could be present in our eyes. Experts suggest that the clear tissue that covers the white area of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid can be infected by viruses associated with the common cold and herpes. That happens because the eyes are directly exposed when to the droplets produced while coughing, sneezing or speaking. Besides, most people have the habit of rubbing and touching their eyes. This can be a valid explanation of the presence of coronavirus in the tears of an infected person.

04 How can COVID spread through the eyes?

Coronavirus can spread through the eyes in the same manner as it spreads through respiratory droplets. Touching the tears of an infected person or touching the surface where the droplet has landed make you prone to infection. Even touching your eyes after touching a surface with a virus on it can increase the risk of infection.

Although conjunctivitis (red eyes) is a prominent symptom of the COVID-19 infection, it is rare. Not everyone infected with the virus develops this symptom so it is necessary to keep oneself protected. Even if the infected person does not have pink eyes, he/she may spread the virus to a healthy person.

05 Here's what you can do to stay safe

It is now proved that coronavirus can spread to the other person through tears, however, studies also suggest that the risk of transmission is extremely low. The best thing to do in such a case is to practise some healthy hygiene methods to stay safe. Below are some small steps you can take to reduce the risk:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Do not rub your eyes when infected with COVID-19.

If you are using a tissue when sneezing, throw it immediately.

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds after touching any surface and before touching your face or eating.

If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with a hand sanitiser that contains at least 70 per cent alcohol.

Avoid coming in close contact with people who are sick.

Wear a mask in public settings and when around people not living in their household.

 

Living longer: This one daily habit is linked to a longer lifespan

 (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)

 Who does not want to live a long, happy and healthy life? Unfortunately, there is no one formula that promises to increase your lifespan. However, there are some factors that can aid longevity. Developing habits that are conducive to a long life does help. As per research published in the journal Frontiers in Ageing Neurosciences, one lifestyle habit has been highlighted as the way to achieve longevity.

As per the research paper titled, "Human longevity is associated with regular sleep patterns, maintenance of slow the first step towards working for longer life". Here are the three main findings of the study.

- The maintenance of slow-wave sleep in the oldest-old individuals when compared to older adults.

- The existence of strictly regular sleep patterns among the oldest old individuals.

- The occurrence of a favourable lipid profile in these individuals.

The signature of sleep ECG in the brain of oldest-old individuals was also described. These findings support the role of sleep and lipid metabolism control in the maintenance of longevity in humans.

For the unversed, a lipid profile is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood. High levels of triglyceride in the blood can increase one's risk of heart disease.

Thus, regular sleep can reduce the risk of heart disease, which is a major killer worldwide.

Here are some simple steps to sleep better:

Make a sleep schedule and stick to it

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Plan to sleep for at least 7-8 hours each day.

Say no to caffeine and nicotine before bedtime

Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can disrupt your sleep. Also, avoid heavy and spicy foods to avoid indigestion and get a peaceful sleep.

Create a restful environment

Dark, cool and quiet places without a buzz of electronic activity help one fall asleep. Do not put a TV in your bedroom.

Say NO to day-time naps

If you choose to nap, limit it to up to 30 minutes and avoid doing that later in the day. If you do so, it will interfere with your nighttime sleep.

 Stay physically active during the day

Regular physical activity in the daytime can promote better sleep. Don't be too active too close to bedtime.

 Manage stress

Learning to manage stress is important for a happy life. Work on life's big and small worries. resolve crises and conflicts. You can also try doing meditation and breathing exercises to manage stress.

 

Managing asthma can cut Covid severity: Study

 (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)

Asthmatics who have their illness well under control have less severe Covid-19 outcomes than those with uncontrolled asthma, according to a large study.
The findings, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, suggest that asthma patients -- especially those who require clinical care -- should continue taking their asthma medications during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Anyone with asthma should continue to work with their health care provider to ensure they are getting the best treatment for their asthma, which leads to better asthma control and decreases the likelihood of severe Covid-19 outcomes," said Zhanghua Chen, Assistant Professor of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.
Researchers collected data on 61,338 Covid-19 patients using electronic medical records from Kaiser Permanente Southern California from March 1 to August 31, 2020.

Medical codes were used to determine if these patients had asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prior to their Covid-19 diagnosis. Researchers also separated the data further, with the "active" group accounting for any patients who had a clinical visit for asthma within the last 12 months and the "inactive" group accounting for those who had not.

Patients in the active asthma group had significantly higher odds of hospitalization, a need for intensive respiratory support and ICU admission within 30 days of Covid-19 diagnosis compared to those with no history of asthma or COPD.

Notably, researchers did not see a higher likelihood of mortality within 60 days for the active asthma group.

 "This study went beyond examining asthma's impact on Covid-19 outcomes and instead focused on how Covid-19 outcomes might change for asthma patients depending on their level of asthma control," said Anny H Xiang of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research and Evaluation.

"We also saw that even in patients with active asthma, if they were using asthma medications their odds of worsened Covid-19 outcomes decreased, which demonstrates just how important these medications are," Xiang said.

 

Liver diseases: 5 early signs of liver cirrhosis you should not ignore

 (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)

01.Liver diseases: 5 early signs of liver cirrhosis you should not ignore

 Liver cirrhosis is referred to as the scarring or fibrosis of the liver caused by different types of liver-related problems like hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. The scarred tissue gradually replaces the healthy tissue in the liver, which eventually makes it less effective.

 02.Role of kidneys

 Our liver is responsible for performing several functions in a day to keep us healthy. It removes toxins from the body, makes enzymes that help us digest food, stores sugar, and nutrients, and helps to fight infections. When your liver gets injured due to any reason, the healthy liver cells are inflamed or even die. It is followed by the cell repairing process, which often causes tissue scarring. Accumulation of scarred tissues in the organ disrupts its functioning and leads to liver cirrhosis.

Although there is no cure for cirrhosis, early detection of the health problem can delay or stop scarring and reduce complications. If left untreated, it can even turn fatal.

 03. ​Who is at risk?

 Liver cirrhosis is a secondary health condition that often develops because of another liver problem or disease. If you won't treat the liver condition, it will get worse and over time will turn into cirrhosis. Here are some conditions that may put you at the risk of developing liver cirrhosis.

Alcohol abuse for years

Viral hepatitis

Uncontrolled diabetes

Obesity

Injecting drugs using shared needles

History of liver disease

Unprotected sex

To curb the growth of unhealthy cells, you must know the symptoms. This will help you to take the right treatment at the right time. Cirrhosis shows no sign until liver damage is extensive. Here are signs and symptoms you might experience:

 04. ​Easily bleeding or bruising

 Our liver produces a protein with the help of Vitamin K which is needed for blood clotting. Besides, the organ also helps to break down old or damaged blood cells. When the liver is injured it does not make enough protein as you easily get bruised.

 05. Yellow discolouration in the skin and eyes (jaundice)

 Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and sclera turn yellow. The skin takes this colour due to a high level of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment secreted by the liver. When the liver is bruised, it fails to regulate the amount of bile in the body, leading to this health condition.

 06. Swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles (edema)

 Swelling of legs and arms is also caused due to decreased production of a protein called albumin. This protein keeps the blood from leaking out of the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues. When there are fewer protein fluids start accumulating in the blood vessels.

 07. Fluid accumulation in your abdomen (ascites)

 In chronic liver disease, fluid may accumulate in the abdomen causing abdominal distension. This may make your belly look tight and swollen. Due to liver malfunction, fluid starts filling the space between the abdominal lining and the organs.

 08. ​Weight loss

 Losing weight unexpectedly without dieting and exercising can be a reason for concern. It is often the early sign of liver cirrhosis and should not be overlooked. If you are witnessing a drop in your body weight consult your doctor.

 

 

Using salt? You are taking a pinch of plastic

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news)

 

When you season your food with salt, chances are that you are sprinkling plastic on it — an infinitesimal bit of a bag, a cup, or cutlery. Researchers have found microplastics in table salt, a ubiquitous meal ingredient, thus suggesting that Gujarat’s addiction to single-use convenience is coming back to bite it.

Recently, three universities of Tamil Nadu along with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, studied salt samples from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Both states are major producers of edible salt and depend on the sea to make it.

Microplastics are tiny particles, as minute as 100-200 micrometres, which shred away from single-use or general plastic items. These items include packaging material, cutlery, paints used for roads, polyester textiles, beads, fishing nets, tools, and cosmetics.

The total microplastic content ranged from 46-115 particles per 200g in Gujarat salt samples, according to the researchers. In Tamil Nadu’s case, it ranged from 23-101 particles per 200g. Since this is emerging research, no reference limits are available to work out the permissible levels.

The most common microplastics identified in edible salt were polyethylene, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride.

Assistant professor A Vidyasakar of the geology department of Tamil Nadu’s Periyar University said, “The sources of the microplastic fibers may be processing and packaging units of salt-producing companies.” Airborne particles could be another source, he said. According to Vidyasakar, 74.3% of the total microplastics found in the study were red-and-blue fibrous materials. “We want the states that produce and package salt to recognize microplastics as a problem,” Vidyasakar said. “We want the states to improve their refining processes.”

Another researcher, assistant professor S Krishna Kumar of the geology department of Tamil Nadu’s Malankara Catholic College, said, “Our team carried out a baseline study on the presence of the particles in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu samples.” Kumar added, “We are yet to investigate their effects on our bodies.” It will take a decade before the detrimental consequences are fully known, he said.

“But first we have to recognize presence of microplastics,” Kumar said. Other researchers were K Suresh Kumar, P Saravanan, and K Kasilingam of University of Madras; and K Neelavannan, S Anbalagan, and S Srinivasalu of the Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University. The research team also included S Kamaraj of the biotechnology department of Periyar University; and N S Magesh of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.

Plastic in salt: Study calls for better processing

Ahmedabad: The revelation that microplastics lurk amid edible salt comes as an eye-opener for the state government and salt producers. The researchers who recorded the findings are calling for improved refining processes to reduce microplastics in salt.

Gujarat produces 76% of the country’s salt. Kharaghoda, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, and the Rann of Kutch are major salt-producing centres. The research study, published in Elsevier’s Marine Pollution Journal, has stated that of the solid microparticle pollutants separated from the samples, 90.3% were microplastic fractions and 9.7% were non-microplastic fractions. The study was carried out by a team of 10 scientists including geologists, ocean researchers, and biotechnologists

Polyethylene (78%) was the dominant microplastic pollutant, followed by polyester (19%). Polyvinyl chloride content was found too. “The packing material of salt was primarily composed of polyethylene. A few large-sized plastic fragments which were greater than 5mm were also observed in the samples,” the study said.

Approximately 16.2% and 15% of the microparticles that were analyzed in the crystal salt packets fall in the 500-1,000 micrometre and above 1mm size ranges. The 200-500 micrometre microplastic particles accounted for approximately 31.2% of the total particles, and 100-200 micrometre particles made up 37.7% of the total. “The common microplastic particles include fiber, pellet, and film,” the study said. The research involved Madras, Periyar, and Anna universities; Malankara Catholic College; and National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.

“The [finding] of the study is that edible salt is dominated by fiber-shaped microplastic materials,” the researchers said. “The microplastics in salt were primarily made up of polyethylene materials.” The researchers went on to say: “The observed polyethylene in salt most probably came from processing and packing units of salt-producing industries, followed by airborne microplastic particles.”