Coronavirus vaccination: Side effects from COVID boosters similar to second dose, as per CDC

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Why should you take the COVID vaccines?

While COVID vaccines come with various side effects, it is it not a matter of concern. All vaccines trigger certain immune responses in the body, which may cause mild to moderate symptoms. As is known, vaccines are a mimicry of a pathogen, which when injected into the body activates the immune system to produce antibodies and fight the foreign particles. This in turn causes inflammatory responses in the body, leading to fever, fatigue, headache, etc. If you're someone who is hesitant to get your COVID vaccines, it is important to understand that besides taking safety precautions, vaccination is the only way you can protect yourself and others from severe infections.

What we know about COVID vaccine boosters

COVID-19 boosters have been introduced in some parts of the world and discussions around its efficacy and side effects are ongoing.

According to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the side effects experienced by people who have received their vaccine boosters are similar to that from the second dose. As per the agency, millions of people have received their third dose since August 13. The US recently rolled out COVID boosters for immunocompromised people and extended it for workers in high-risk jobs and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

COVID vaccine boosters

Given that vaccine-induced immunity may wane over a period of time, the demand for a third vaccine dose, also known as a "booster" shot has increased. That said, booster shots are given to people who have been fully vaccinated, so as to re-expose their immune system to the immunizing antigen, the memory of which (after the previous dose) could have been lost over a period of time. Just like the first and second doses of coronavirus vaccines, COVID boosters may also come with certain side effects. Fever, chills, fatigue and joint pain are some of the most common side effects.

Side effects from booster shot similar to second dose: CDC

Latest findings suggest that COVID booster side effects may resemble side effects from the the second dose. The CDC analysed data from nearly 12,600 people who received a third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid vaccine. They showed that side effects -- which were described as mostly mild to moderate, and occurring the day after vaccination -- were prevalent at similar rates to those from a second vaccine dose during the regular course.

High blood pressure: Salty foods that may increase the risk of hypertension

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Foods that you should avoid

High blood pressure or hypertension is a slow-progressing disorder that opens the door for several health-related problems with age including heart attack, kidney problem, vision loss, sexual dysfunction and vascular dementia. Most people take this condition lightly, unaware of the wide range of health risks it involves. Here are salty foods that you need to cut down from your diet.

Bread and roll

Bread and roll are an important part of our daily meal. A slice of the bread in the morning with butter or an omelette helps to keep us fuller for a longer time. The downside is that they are loaded with sodium content. Additionally, the refined flour used to prepare it can make you more prone to weight gain. Sodium can affects fluid balance in the blood and increases the blood pressure level. It is not a healthy option for a hypertension patient.

Processed meat

All those canned chicken and fish spreads, ham, hotdogs, sausages are highly processed, which means they contain preservatives and a high amount of sodium. The excess salt is added to the meat during the curring, seasons and preserving process. Adding processed meat with another high salty food like bread and ham can make your food more unhealthy. Having food can increase blood pressure and also lead to cancer.

Soups

We all love a bowl of hot soup, especially in the winter season. But to avoid the elaborate and time taking recipe, we often reach out for ready-to-make soup packets available in the supermarket. All we need to do is add hot water and your bowl of soup is ready. What people do not know is that packed soups are stripped out of all the nutrients and are high in sodium content. It is better to make soup at home.

Canned tomato products

Canned tomato food products like ketchup, sauce and pasta sauce are also high in sodium content. The canned tomato products are high in sodium and chemicals. Having them can increase your blood pressure, increase cancer and lead to weight gain. Besides, the ketchup and sauces also contain some amount of refined sugar. It is best to use fresh tomatoes or make tomato sauce at home.

Foods to eat when suffering from High BP

Following a heart-healthy is best to live a long and healthy life. Even for people with the problem of hypertension, a good diet can help to manage the condition naturally. Here are some foods that must be a part of your diet.

Foods rich in potassium like banana

Calcium-rich foods like skim milk and yoghurt

Lean meat.

Fresh fruits

Green veggies

Whole grains

 

'Havana Syndrome' case reported in India: Know all about this mysterious condition

 

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

 

The US CIA team's recent visit to India has raised new concerns after it has been reported that one of the officers involved in the team developed symptoms similar to the mysterious illness, 'Havana Syndrome'. Although the condition enraged a lot of officials in the team, the very nature and name of the previously unknown condition is inviting concerns.

While this is the first time Havana Syndrome has been reported in our country, the strange illness has been known to afflict a lot of US politicians and diplomats who travel internationally. Wondering what exactly is the condition? We tell you

What is the Havana Syndrome exactly?

The Havana Syndrome refers to a mysterious, strange striking condition known to impact some people on international domains. While the disease first originated in Cuba in the year 2016 amongst some diplomats and spies. The recent case involving a member of the CIA team is also not the first time the condition has seemingly striked US politicos. More famously, it was reported that US Vice President, Kamala Harris and many diplomats accompanying her on the trip suffered from symptoms of the Havana Syndrome after coming back from an official state visit.

As mysterious as the condition sounds, it is medically referred to as a neurological illness which causes a host of symptoms, ranging from dizziness to sleep abnormalities.

While scientists and medical researchers haven't been able to truly source the origins, cause or reason for Havana Syndrome, it is considered to be a condition set in by possible microwave 'radiation', sonic weapons, while some refer to it as an entirely different form of psychological illness.

The first time Havana Syndrome was reported amongst diplomats in Cuba's capital city, Havana, officials reported undergoing 'strange' symptoms and hearing noises erstwhile staying in their residences. People have also recorded experiencing uncomfortable physical sensations with the condition. While the range of symptoms didn't connect enough to one particular disease, it was simply labelled to be 'Havana Syndrome'. As per reports, over 200 US-based officials have apparently fallen ill to Havana Syndrome ever since the condition was first discovered.

Symptoms of the disease

Even as there continues to be more research on the matter, people who have encountered the Havana Syndrome report back with strange symptoms which could impact their brain, hearing or even waking patterns. Some of the known symptoms of the Havana Syndrome at this point remain:

-Dizziness

-Hearing buzzing noises in the ear

-Difficult physical sensations

-Sleep trouble

-Nausea

-Brain fog

-Being 'hyper-aware' or 'fearful'

-Severe headaches

-Excruciating fatigue

Some researchers conducted on the same have also pointed out that the condition, even with no plausible causes may also cause some form of brain abnormalities, which could remain for months on end.

 

 

Thyroid eye disease: What is it and what are the symptoms?

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The thyroid is a butterfly gland located in the middle of the lower neck. Even though it is a small organ, it has many essential roles to play in our body. This gland produces three kinds of hormones that help to control growth, cell repair, and metabolism in our body. Any imbalance in the production of the hormones leads to tiredness, hair loss, weight gain, excessive cold and many other symptoms, together known as thyroid diseases.

In severe cases, thyroid diseases also lead to eye-related complications, where the immune system starts to attack the muscles and other tissues around the eye. It can lead to inflammation of the eyeballs, bulging sockets and in rare cases vision loss. This condition is referred to as Thyroid eye disease or Thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

What leads to Thyroid eye diseases?

Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune eye condition that is common in those suffering from thyroid diseases. This kind of eye infection is also seen in those suffering from conjunction with Graves' disease.

Thyroid related eye complication happens when our immune system, which protects us from germs and other pollutants mistakes the body's tissue in and around the eyes as a foreign invader. Soon after this, the immune system sends out antibodies that attack the fat and tissue in and around your eye.

Symptoms of Thyroid eye diseases

In this condition, your eyes may look bulge and your eye may seem swollen. If the condition is severe you may not be even able to close your eye completely. Some other symptoms may include:

1. Redness in the whites of your eyes

2. Irritation, like there’s dirt in your eye

3. Pain and pressure

4. Dry or watery eyes

5. Double vision

6. Light sensitivity

 

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you have thyroid disease, go for a regular eye check-up to rule out the possibility of any eye problems. If you begin to experience some eye pain or problem, consult your opthalmologist. Your healthcare provider may look out for swelling or eye tissue or tissue enlargement. Based on your condition, your doctor will prescribe your medication. In the case of mild damage, you would be prescribed lubricating eye drops and artificial tears. You would be asked to take some precautions like keeping your eyes protected from dust and bright light. Only a small percentage of people suffering from this condition have to undergo surgery.

 

Why sleeping on your back is good for your health

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01 Change your sleeping position to improve the quality of your sleep

Having quality sleep at night has become an ultimate luxury. Some are blessed with sound sleep at night, while others keep tossing and turning till dawn. Regardless of what they do to relax before nodding, sleeping comfortably throughout the night seems like a far fetched dream. This, in turn, leads to permanent dark circles, forgetfulness, and drastic mood swings.

02 How sleeping on your back helps

We all have a preferred sleeping position. Some lay on their sides, others on their back or stomach. You can sleep in whichever position you feel comfortable in, but if you are dealing with sleeplessness, laying down on your back is a better option. Sleeping on your back also known as supine sleeping has several health benefits and the most important one is sound slumber. Consistently sleeping on your back helps to align your spine, ease the tension in your muscles, reduces buildup in your sinuses, and eases pressure on your chest, all the issues that can keep you awake till late at night.

03 Other benefits of sleeping on your back

Training your body to fall asleep on your back might be difficult in the beginning, but with time you will get used to it. It is alright if you roll back to your sides after falling asleep. In general, all sleeping positions are good (except sleeping on your stomach), it all depends on your level of comfort. Sleeping on your back has some greater benefits than others.

04 Tips to improve your quality of sleep

Changing your sleeping position is just one thing that you can do to improve your quality of sleep. Your sleep is actually influenced by a number of factors like how your mattress, pillow, and sleep environment are. If you intend to improve your quality of sleep, here are a few things that you must do:

Get the right mattress support to lay flat

Buy good support for your neck

Place a pillow for under your knees or lower back

Stretch before bedtime

Take some deep breaths

Go to bed at the same time every night

People between 18-24 at higher risk of gaining weight in the next 10 years: Lancet study

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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many to take note of their health. However, the increased stress and prolonged confinement has also increased the risk of lifestyle disorders, including obesity. Disorderly eating, long working hours, sedentary lifestyle and little to no physical activity are reasons to blame. One of the most common issues which has come up is pandemic weight gain.

While obesity has been a disturbing health issue since long, the COVID-19 pandemic and the change in our lifestyles have been a contributing factor and caused a rise in rates. Obesity is also a reason behind many additional health ills. While tackling obesity requires mindful lifestyle changes on the overall, newer studies have highlighted that young adults, particularly are at a grave risk of gaining weight in the coming years, compared to any other age group. We explain why

​The study

A study led by researchers at the University College London, University of Cambridge and Berlin Institute of Health and Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, which has been published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology found out that being a young adult is an important risk factor for weight gain than sex, ethnicity or socioeconomic area characteristics. The risk of gaining weight is highest in the adult age group and decreases steadily with age.

The analysis

The researchers looked at anonymised primary care health records of more than 2 million adults in England between the years 1998 and 2016 to investigate the risk of weight gain at different ages among different groups.

The results

It was found that people aged 18 to 24 were four times more likely to become overweight and develop obesity over the next 10 years as compared to people aged 65 to 74. Young adults who were classified as overweight and obese were also more likely to move to a higher BMI category, which is from overweight category to obesity or from non-severe obesity to severe obesity as compared to those classed as overweight or obese in any other age group.

Knowing the personal risk of transitioning to a higher weight category is important as the COVID-19 pandemic collides with the obesity pandemic (people are exercising less, finding it harder to eat healthy while staying at home). All of which can have an adverse effect on your health.

Why are young adults more at risk?

Young people go through big life changes. They might start work, go to university or leave home for the first time, the habits that they form at this time might stick with them through adulthood.

Conclusion

As per the study, the risk of moving from a higher BMI category over 10 years was 4-6 times higher in youngest adults (18-24 years), than in the older (65-74 years) age group. People aged 18-24 were 4.2 times more likely than people aged 65-74 to transition from normal weight to overweight, 4.6 times more likely to transition from overweight category to obesity and 5.9 times more likely to move from non-severe obesity to severe obesity.

Diabetes symptoms: What is the 3 am blood sugar phenomenon?

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01. All you need to know about it

It is regular for everyone to wake up once or twice at night to drink water or use the loo. After we are done with the work, we get under the sheet and within minutes we fall back asleep to complete our 8 hours of sound sleep. For those suffering from diabetes, things are a little different. Most diabetic patients wake up almost every night at the same time, around 3 pm, not by some noise or anything else, but because of the sudden spike in the blood sugar level. It can happen due to two reasons - the Somogyi effect or the dawn phenomenon.

02. The dawn phenomenon

As we know that our body uses glucose to produce energy and to wake up in the morning you need to have some extra energy. So, the body starts using stored glucose to prepare for the upcoming day. At the same time, the liver releases extra glucose in the bloodstream due to growth hormone, cortisol, and catecholamines. It generally happens in the morning around 2 am to 3 am to prepare the body to wake up for the day. While these events are happening, your diabetes medication doses taken a day before starts to wear off. All these phenomena together lead to a rise in the blood sugar level in the morning.

03. The Somogyi effect

The second cause of high blood sugar in the morning is due to the Somogyi effect also called rebound hyperglycemia. This happens when your blood sugar level drops too low in the middle of the night and to recuse you from an extremely low sugar level, the body releases hormones that force the liver to release the stored glucose to stabilise the amount of glucose in the body. But in the case of diabetes, the liver releases some extra glucose to which leads to a high blood sugar level in the morning.

04. ​How to tell the difference

The major difference between the two is that the Somogyi effect leads to hypoglycemia followed by hyperglycemia. One of the easiest ways to find out if the spike in the blood sugar level is due to the Somogyi effect is to check blood sugar levels at bedtime and after waking up. If the blood sugar level is low at night then it is due to the Somogyi effect. In case it is normal or high it can be due to the dawn phenomenon. Another point to keep in mind is that the Somogyi effect can occur any time of the day when your body has a high blood sugar level.

05. ​How to control the blood sugar level in the morning

Once you are sure what is causing the spike in the blood sugar level, you need to take measures to control them accordingly. You can discuss your situation with your doctor and based on your situation, he may prescribe you one of the following options.

For dawn phenomenon:

Changing the timing or type of your diabetes medications

Eating a lighter breakfast

Increasing your morning dose of medication

For Somogyi effect:

Decreasing the dose of diabetes medications at night

Coffee lovers avoid these 3 mistakes while brewing your cup to improve your brain health

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01. Right way to brew your cup of coffee correctly

There is a lot of contradiction among health experts regarding the consumption of caffeine. As per science, drinking coffee has several health benefits. At the same time, there is no denying that it has the potential to cause negative impacts on our health. Coffee helps you stay alert, improves your mood, concentration level and increases the efficiency of your brain. The coffee beans may also provide you with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that can cut down the risk of several chronic diseases. You may enjoy all these health benefits only if you brew your cup of coffee correctly.

Yes, you read it right! You may be a pro in brewing your favourite cup of caffeine, but things can easily go wrong if you are not cautious.

02. Excessive intake

Ideally, a person should not have more than 2 cups of coffee in a day. Two 250 ml of caffeine does not harm you in any way. Going beyond this can lead to abdominal pain, seizures, increased blood acid levels, irregular or fast heartbeat, and reduced blood flow to the heart. All of these factors over time can decrease your longevity. It can also increase your level of anxiety, insomnia and make you feel tired all the time.

04. Too much added sugar

Refined sugar contains only calories and zero nutrients. If you are already addicted to caffeine and you load on refined sugar, then things turn more harmful. Excessive sugar intake may lead to an energy crash, increase the risk of obesity and even diabetes. Try to consume less sugar and if possible replace it with healthy sweetener alternatives like jaggery. Even adding cinnamon powder can add sweetener to your coffee.

Five nutritious foods for elderly who have no teeth

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It becomes difficult to take care of an elderly's nutritional needs if they do not have teeth. Old age is not easy. There are multiple physical and mental health challenges that the old population has to deal with. One of the biggest challenges is losing their teeth. Teeth are connected to eating foods, which provides the body with all the required nutrients. Not having teeth limits their options but that does not mean they have to compromise on nutrition.
There are certain soft foods that can be offered to such elderly people. These foods are also high in nutrition, which makes it a win-win situation for the family. Here are five such foods.

Scrambled eggs

Eggs have a bad reputation for raising cholesterol levels in the elderly population. But eggs are packed with protein, which can help build muscles. Not just this, eggs have a host of nutrients, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, choline and selenium. You can make scrambled eggs just by using eggs whites to keep cholesterol levels under check.
Smoothies
Smoothies do not just look great but are all power-packed with nutrition. Smoothies are helpful for the elderly as they are packed with fruits and vegetables and you can have them without even chewing. You can use fruits and vegetables like bananas, strawberries and spinach for wholesome benefits. You can even add a spoon of protein powder if the elderly person has good digestion.

Oatmeal

Easy to make and healthy to eat, oatmeal is one of the favourite breakfast choices for many. Oats pack a whole lot of nutrition and are soft and easy to eat. One serving of oatmeal has four grams of fibre. You can add some raisins, flaxseeds and nuts to make your oatmeal even healthier. You can also make them salty, by adding vegetables.

Yoghurt

Yes, yoghurt is truly a meal in itself. It's a great source of calcium, protein and potassium. It also has probiotics that can keep one's digestive tract healthy and helps in combating any yeast infection.

Cottage cheese

Cheese or paneer is a super healthy addition you can make to an elderly person's diet. It is rich in protein and has calcium, which is helpful for them. Paneer also helps in regulating blood sugar levels.