Coronavirus: These 4 wonder foods can help prevent long COVID

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

Foods that can help prevent long COVID

The third wave of corona virus induced COVID-19 has set in. Even though symptoms of Omicron are much milder than the delta variant, it can nevertheless lead to severe complications. Long COVID is one such complication. ‘Long haulers’ are people who continue to experience symptoms of the virus long after it leaves their body. Despite testing negative for coronavirus, a lot of people have been complaining of symptoms that have stayed with them.

This is known as long COVID and has affected a large number of people who were infected with the delta variant. A loss of smell and taste, whooping cough, weakness and pain in the joints are some symptoms that continue to linger in people who have tested negative for the disease. Long COVID is exhausting and is a result of weak immunity and now that the third wave has set in, it is important to take all precautionary measures for avoiding such infections. Here are four foods that you should eat to prevent long COVID and maintain a healthy immunity.

Kombucha or fermented tea

Kombucha is lightly effervescent and is a sweetened form of green or black tea that improves digestion and also help regulate blood sugar levels. Other benefits of Kombucha include detoxification and reduction of blood pressure. Since it is fermented, it also helps gut health and is great for people who wish to improve it.

Kefir or fermented milk

Immunity depends largely on gut health. In order to build a strong immune system, it is important for us to maintain good gut health. Feeding the body right things and avoiding any food items that might harm the gut is key to a good immunity. Fermented foods and drinks contain bacteria that are good for the gut and can help strengthen immunity.

Sauerkraut or fermented cabbage

Finely cut raw cabbage is fermented by various lactic acid bacteria and has a sour flavor. Due to the presence of lactic acid, it also has a long shelf life that is an added advantage for those who wish to prepare large amounts of it and store for future consumption. Regular consumption of sauerkraut can also aid weight loss and help the gut immensely.

Kimchi or spicy Korean cabbage

Those who are new to Korean cuisine, should know Kimchi with a Korean dish of which the cabbage is an integral part. It is a dish that is made of fermented vegetables that include napa cabbage or kimchi. In order to maintain good gut health, a serving of kimchi can be consumed every day.

Do not take paracetamol with these drinks

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

Drink to avoid with paracetamol

Paracetamol is a widely used over-the-counter (OTC) drug to treat pain and reduce high temperature. Headaches, toothache, sprains or colds and flu, this one medicine can provide instant relief from all these health concerns. The usage of paracetamol has even increased during the pandemic to bring down the fever.

Also known as acetaminophen, this drug is inferior to ibuprofen and can only work to treat mild fever and moderate pain. Yet the overdosage or mixing the drug with the wrong drink can lead to severe side effects and can even be threatening to your life.

Drink to avoid

Every drug works differently and has a different impact on your health. That is why always ask your doctor how to have them when you are handed over the prescription. Some drugs are to be taken on an empty stomach, while others with milk as they can irritate the stomach lining. As far as paracetamol is concerned there is only one drink that should be avoided: ALCOHOL.

Why alcohol should be avoided

Alcohol contains ethanol. Mixing paracetamol with ethanol may lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches, fainting, or loss of coordination. Popping paracetamol after a night of heavy drinking to get rid of a hangover may put you in grave danger. The combination of the two can increase the risk of liver toxicity, which can be fatal. Besides, alcohol is also known to reduce the effectiveness of the medication.

Not only paracetamol, combining alcohol with any other drug is not a great idea. Whenever you take medication from a chemist, ask what you can have with it and what you should avoid.

The safe limit

Even though paracetamol is a mild drug, you must consume it as a limitation. For adults, 1 gram of paracetamol per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day is safe for consumption. Going beyond this limit can lead to liver toxicity. If you take 3 drinks of alcohol every day, do not have more than 2 grams of paracetamol after consulting your doctor. For children above 2 years, use a pediatric form of paracetamol after consulting the doctor.

If you are taking liquid paracetamol, measure the quantity. Overdosage of liquid medicine is one of the common mistakes people make. The chewable tablet must be chewed properly before swallowing. Even if you are taking paracetamol in limited quantities, do not take it regularly for any condition.

Side-effects of excessive usage

Many people are allergic to paracetamol, so before taking the medication ensure that it is not the case with you. If you have a history of alcoholism or liver problems consult with your doctor before taking this OTC drug.

After taking the medicine, if you develop signs of allergic reactions like hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, seek emergency medical help.

Signs of diabetes in your mouth and breath

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

The health burden of diabetes is increasing worldwide. It is among the leading causes of mortality as it involves all organs of the body. The lifestyle disorder has also been listed as a key comorbidity that makes one prone to a more serious COVID illness. While diabetes management is extremely crucial, a lot of times it goes undiscovered and leads to complications. Thus, it’s crucial to identify the signs and seek medical help immediately.

According to the Mayo Clinic, if your blood sugar level is too high, you may experience some symptoms around your mouth. Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor, Chief - Endocrinology, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram explains, “Diabetes is a systemic disease which means it involves all organs of the body and the mouth obviously is not exempted from it. So once we talk about diabetes, we talk about kidneys, the nerves, and so forth. But there is one body part we don’t talk about often in relation to diabetes - and that is the mouth.” One must understand that infections of the mouth are very common and more so in diabetics. “It is a dictum that if someone has well-controlled diabetes and suddenly the control goes haywire even with a good diet and exercise, one must check for urine infections and for dental and oral infections.”

It is important to examine the mouth for foul breath, what we call Halitosis. “If you find that sugar level is bad, there is foul breath and if you see some infections in the oral cavity or in the teeth, then one must refer the patient to the dental surgeon.”

 Diabetic ketoacidosis, this is an acute emergency of diabetes wherein because of the formation of the ketone, there is a foul odor or fruity odor is common in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

In patients with more than 250/300 sugar levels, foul order can be a good marker or pointer towards diabetic ketoacidosis. The patient needs to get a urine check to check if the ketones are present. Diabetes ketoacidosis and halitosis, what we call foul breath, are the worrying conditions that may occur in diabetics, shares Dr Kapoor.

Diabetes, if left untreated can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disorders, neuropathy, can lead to leg amputation and even blindness. This is a big stress on the Indian healthcare system and prevention and timely diagnosis is critical.

High cholesterol: Severe pain in these parts of the body could be a warning sign

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

 

This uncomfortable pain could be a warning sign of ‘silent killer’

Coming under the category of sterols, cholesterol is a type of lipid. Fats, waxes, oils and hormones all fall under the category of lipids and so does the much dreaded term ‘cholesterol’, which is synthesized by our body cells and is an integral part of the cell membrane. When isolated, it is a yellow crystalline substance, too much presence of which in the blood is termed as high cholesterol and is considered to be extremely dangerous for the body because of the consequences that it has. Cholesterol thickens the blood and can cause hindrances in its smooth circulation especially through the arteries because it gets deposited on the walls of the arteries, clogging them.

Perils posed by high cholesterol

Cholesterol deposits on the walls of the arteries can narrow arteries or completely block them. Blockage of arteries causes them to harden and obstruct blood flow which increases the risk of blood clots that obstruct the flow of blood to the heart or brain, leading to serious complications. It therefore becomes extremely important for us to know if our cholesterol levels are within the safe limits. However, it is not as easy as it seems. Unlike most illnesses, high cholesterol does not have any prominent specific symptoms which one can lookout for and this is why it is known as ‘the silent killer’. We bring to you some generic symptoms that are indicators of high cholesterol that should be looked out for.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels can lead to clogging which in turn results in pain. When this condition reaches its extremity, it is labeled as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD causes discomfort both in the hands and feet and can affect activities like walking and running. If PAD is severe, it can even result in a loss of limbs. A test of pulses is a simple way to lookout for PAD and your physician can prescribe and perform the test conveniently.

Atherosclerosis

This condition is characterized by accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries which clogs them. The deposits are made of fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium, fibrin and cholesterol. Cholesterol build up in the body results in pain in the hands and is a symptom that one should look out for.

Painful jaw

A feeling of squeezing or tightening of the jaw leads to discomfort and in some cases, it might even lead to acute pain in the jaw. This pain is mostly associated with angina- a pain that arises from poor flow of blood to the part of the heart which is most commonly felt in the chest but can be felt in many forms.

 

Cancer symptoms: The warning sign to notice on your neck, face and ears

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

Signs of skin cancer

Air pollution, poor diet, inactivity and exposure to different kinds of chemicals has increased the risk of cancer in the past few decades. Cancer has become one of the deadliest health conditions, claiming more than 9 million lives across the globe every year. Different kinds of cancer exhibit diverse symptoms depending on the part of the body the cancerous cell effect. One common symptom of cancer can be seen near your neck, face and ears. It can be an indication that you need to get yourself examined at the earliest.

Symptom of cancer on neck, ears and face

A pearly white and waxy growth in the neck, ears and face could be a sure shot sign of Basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. This type of cancer develops on the body parts exposed to sunlight. Those suffering from this health condition can witness a large transparent bump on the skin. The lump can be of different shapes and appear in any part of the body exposed to sunlight. Being a type of skin cancer, most basal cell carcinomas are caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight.

​How do the lesions appear

The skin lesion can appear due to several reasons, but the one caused due to growth of abnormal cells in the body has some specific characteristics. The lesions due to skin cancer rarely develop in covered areas like the genitals and abdomen. The changes in the skin due to the growth of cancerous cells may have one or more characters:

A translucent, pearly white or pink bump on fair skin. It may appear brown or glossy black on brown black skin.

A brown, black or blue lump with dark spots and a slightly raised, translucent border.

A flat, scaly patch with a raised edge that grows over time.

A white, waxy, scar-like lesion without a defined border.

An open sore that bleeds, or oozes and remains open for several weeks

If you witness any of the following signs on your neck, ears and face call your health care provider immediately.

What to do to reduce the risk of screen cancer

Avoid the sun during the middle of the day: Soaking in the Sun rays is essential to get enough vitamin D in a day, but try to avoid doing this when the sun rays are the strongest. Limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wear sunscreen: Applying sunscreen is not only essential in the summers but equally vital in winters. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days on the exposed part of your body.

Wear protective clothing: Wear dark coloured and tightly woven cloths to cover your arms and legs and protect against the harsh sun rays.

Check your skin regularly: If you notice even the slightest change in your skin contact your doctor. Get yourself examined for new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks.

How to protect yourself from skin cancer

Cancer is not caused due to a single factor. Several things increase our risk of developing cancer like age, family history, exposure to arsenic, radiation therapy and immune-suppressing drugs. While one cannot do anything to reduce the risk when it comes to genetic and age-related factors, there are some common things that may help to reduce your risk of basal cell carcinoma.

 

Hypertension: Why cold weather increases blood pressure and how can you manage it

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

Why people are at the risk of high blood pressure

A drop in the temperature may worsen the symptoms of many health conditions. Low immunity, joint pain and asthma, all these health ailments flare up in winters. Another health issue that bothers a lot of people in the cold weather is hypertension. When the temperature starts falling outdoor, the blood pressure level of those already dealing with the problem of hypertension spikes. The problem is more common in case of elderlies. It further increases the risk of heart attack and heart problems.

Why cold weather leads to a spike in the blood pressure level?

Cold weather narrows the blood vessels and arteries. Due to this more force is needed to transport the blood to different parts of the body. As a result, the blood pressure increases.

The blood pressure may also be affected due to abrupt changes in the weather like humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloud cover or wind. The weather-related variation in blood pressure is more common in people above 65 years. Besides, winter weight gain and lack of physical activity may also contribute to a spike in the blood pressure level. During winters if you notice any change in the blood pressure level contact your doctor immediately. Here are some other ways to bring your blood pressure back to normal.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Drinking too much alcohol during winters can make your body lose heat rapidly. It drops the core temperature of the body, making you feel colder. Due to this blood vessels will narrow and the blood pressure will increase. Even if you stay indoors all the time, it is crucial to limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. 2 cups of coffee and 1 drink of alcohol every day is more than enough.

​Dress in layers

Instead of wearing a single thick jacket try to dress in layers. Dressing up in layers traps the heat and makes you feel warmer. When you wear one thick jacket, the body loses heat easily, making you feel colder and increasing your blood pressure level. Also, try to keep your skin least exposed during cold days. It can also help to prevent skin dryness.

Eat seasonal fruits and veggies

Your diet plays a crucial role in managing your blood pressure level. Eating healthy and nutritious food keeps the symptoms of your blood pressure in control. If you are already suffering from the problem of high blood pressure, eat more vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, and moderate amounts of lean meats, fish, and whole grains.

​Exercise in moderate amount

For those dealing with the issue of high blood pressure, it is recommended to exercise in moderate amounts. Putting too much strain on your body may exert the body more than necessary and can increase your problems for no reason.

 

New Year resolutions for diabetic patients: How to improve your health in 2022

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

When we think about New Year’s resolutions, losing those extra pounds gained over the last year is the first thing everyone wants to reflect on. However, for people with diabetes, New Year’s resolutions can take on a different meaning. For them it is not just about a few extra pounds or trips to the gym, but getting glucose levels back to optimum range.

“In today’s day, with technology advancements and so many tools and resources available, one must leverage it to their usage. People with diabetes must make a promise to monitor their glucose levels, make lifestyle modifications and try their best to stick to goals. The less often one checks their blood glucose levels, the less information they have on how stress, diet and exercise affect the body. Therefore, monitoring is key, as actionable data helps make informed decisions. New wearable devices can drastically reduce the future cost and complications.”, says Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev, Chairman & Managing Director, Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centres.

Below is a guide of how people with diabetes can set and tracking goals smartly, to ace their new year’s resolutions for 2022:

The first entry, getting fit

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes must workout atleast for 30 mins a day. Integrating cardiovascular conditioning and strength training into daily routine offers many significant benefits to health, including better glucose control and stronger bones and muscles. With many available fitness tools and apps, one can set and manage daily goals efficiently!

Have a (meal) plan for success

Starting a new eating plan in the new year is certainly on everyone’s minds! However, an important part of sticking to that plan is to have a strategy in place. The best way to ensure eating healthy is to plan and prepare meals in advance. Calendars and smartphone applications can also help in tracking the food and nutrients consumed through the day. Regular and timely meals help keep glucose levels stable, prevents from overeating, and helps make healthier choices.

Know thy numbers

Regularizing glucose levels by continuous glucose monitoring is one of the ways that you and doctors know that diabetes is being well managed. Wearable devices such as FreeStyle Libre, provide real-time glucose readings with a painless one-second sensor scan. With tech advancements today, these devices are water resistant and are active even when the wearer is asleep, thus providing effective monitoring.

 Learn to manage stress

 While we often think about the physical aspects of health, emotional health is equally important and connected to physical health. Stress can have a massive impact on health and wellbeing. This year, consider incorporating new habits that will reduce stress and increase happiness and overall life satisfaction. Something to keep in mind while making resolutions is prioritizing health above all else and cutting out stress.

 It is important to stick to a handful of resolutions instead of a list of countless goals. Adapt targets at a realistic pace so that each victory boosts confidence and carries you forward in managing diabetes.