Everything you need to know about coronavirus ?
The outbreak of the Wuhan virus in
mainland China has sent health authorities across the scrambling to put precautionary measures in place
against the spread. The virus has claimed 25 lives, infected over 800
people and spread to a number of countries across the globe.
The Wuhan virus or the 2019-nCoV is part of a family of viruses known as coronaviruses.
These viruses primarily infect bats, pigs and small mammals but mutate easily and can jump from animals to
humans.
Chinese health officials as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed that the virus can spread from human to human as well.
2019-nCoV has been found to be at least 70pc similar in genome sequence to SARS-CoV which affected numerous people and caused a number of deaths in 2003. Whether the Wuhan virus is of the same severity or lethality as SARS is still unclear.
Origins
The virus is thought to have originated in the seafood and meat market in Wuhan, a city in the central Chinese province of Hubei. The initial outbreak was identified in mid- December 2019 as a cluster of people with pneumonia with no clear cause.
On December 31, 2019, 27 people with pneumonia of unknown
cause were reported to the WHO. Most were stallholders from the
Huanan Seafood Market, seven of whom were in critical condition.
Meanwhile a 36-year old resident of Mumbai who had visited China recently, was quarantined at Mumbai’s Kasturba Gandhi Hospital on Sunday after he developed cold and fever, symptoms of the coronavirus. He is the fourth person
in Mumbai to be quarantined in the hospital’s isolation ward. Earlier
three people from different parts of Mumbai were quarantined at the same hospital.
In the meantime, BMC in Mumbai has formed an expert team consisting of epidemiologists, microbiologists, medicine, chest specialists who would be stationed at Kasturba hospital to deal with emergency or outbreak of coronavirus.
Mushrooms help in managing blood sugar levels ?
Increased inflammation in the body can lead to many lifestyle conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This is because abnormal inflammation in
the body alters insulin’s action, leading to a person developing such conditions. Which is why it is essential to include anti-inflammatory foods in one’s diet, and one such food is mushroom.
Mushrooms, a type of non-starchy
vegetable, are rich in soluble fibre, which helps maintain the body’s blood sugar level. Recall that diabetes, a chronic health condition,
makes the body unresponsive to insulin, leading to a spike in the blood sugar levels.
Here is what you need to know
According to a Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare review, the consumption of oyster mushroom “appears to be effective in controlling glycemic control, lipid profile and diabetic quality of life, and acceptability of mushroom biscuits were excellent.” Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods, states
that eating white button mushrooms daily could act as prebiotic by improving microbial community in the gut, which could then improve the regulation of glucose in the liver.
Studies have consistently linked non-starchy vegetables to lowered risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer. Unlike starchy vegetables that are high in carbohydrates, non-starchy vegetables are very low in carbohydrates.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about half of a diabetics’ diet should be made up of non-starchy vegetables.
*Mushrooms also have a low-glycemic index which means they contain low amount of carbs that do
not lead to a spike in the blood sugar levels as significantly compared to high carbohydrate foods like bread and pasta.
*They are good for managing weight, which also helps keep blood sugar
levels under control. As a low-calorie food that has high water and fibre content, mushrooms are also known to keep one fuller for longer, preventing overeating.
*Besides, they contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
*Adding more mushrooms to your diet could even reduce the amount of ‘bad’ cholesterol in your body.
A natural tonic for a healthy pregnancy
The uterus is one of the major female
hormone responsive organs of the reproductive system that is also commonly known as womb.
This pear-shaped, 60 gmweighing uterus nurtures the fertilised ovum that develops into foetus and delivers up to a 4.5-kg baby.
A weak uterus comes with
a number of health complaints. Hence, it is essential to have uterine tonics,especially during pregnancy.
Intake of Lodh or Lodhra is recommended in our traditional systems of medicine as an effective remedy for health problems associated with uterus. It is mentioned that Lodhra acts as uterine tonic by relaxing uterus wall and tissues. Decoction of the bark is administered orally for treating uterine bleeding. Lodhra and Pippali (Piper longumL.) mixed with honey and milk is given to prevent frequent miscarriages.
Besides being a uterine tonic, it is also used against eye diseases, bronchial complaints, bleeding
gums, arthritis, ulcers, and skin diseases including leprosy, fever and dysentery.
Lodhra is botanically known as Symplocos racemosa Roxb.belonging to the family Symplocaceae. It is known as vellai lothiram in Tamil and paachoti in Malayalam. Lodh is an evergreen tree and reaches up to 6 m in height. Leaves are alternate and spirally arranged with a narrow base, glandular-serrate along margins, sharp at apex with a glossy lamina
above and is 6 to 12 cm long and 3-5 cm broad with a 1.5 cm long stalk. Inflorescences are axillary, simple or compound racemes,up to 10 cm long. Flowers are bisexual and mildly
fragrant and are 1.5 cm in length with white or cream coloured petals and 5 mm long stamens. Fruits are
drupes, ellipsoid, bluishpurple when ripe and are 1.5 cm long and 0.6 cm
broad, 1 to 3-seeded. In India, its distribution is recorded in the Western Peninsula region, North
Eastern India and Sub-Himalayan tracts.
Healthy teeth not only enable you to look, feel good but it’s more ?
Healthy teeth not only enable you to
look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral hygiene is key for the overall health of your body. There’s a lot of information available on the internet about oral health, hence most of us are aware about the importance of oral hygiene and how to maintain it in a good shape. However, are we putting this knowledge into practice?
If yes, are we practising it the right way? Mentioned below are a few of the common oral hygiene mistakes and what to do about it.
Not brushing twice a day: One of the most common mistakes seen in India is the ignorance on brushing twice daily. It is recommended that one
should clean every surface of their teeth immediately after each meal. In spite of this advice most of us don’t even brush our teeth at least twice a day. During each meal we
consume, our teeth are exposed to carbohydrates which are basically sugar, if we leave this food particle uncleaned, bacteria present on your tooth surfaces will start to consume the food chunks and release acids which cause tooth decay and ultimately lead to gum infection.
Avoiding tongue while brushing: Your tongue is the playground of bacteria, it is one of the main locations where bacteria get attached inside mouth. Tongue is not covered by a smooth skin; it has microscopic grooves where bacteria can hide easily. cleaning tongues will also help in eliminating bad breath. Brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Brush back and forth, on the sides and rinse your mouth with water.
Over brushing: Almost all of the toothpastes available in the market
contain abrasives, if you brush your teeth longer than recommended time, these abrasives present in
the toothpaste will deteriorate tooth surface and can lead to dental decay.
The recommended time for brushing is two minutes max.
Improper storing of toothbrush: After each use, your brush should be
kept upright on a holder so that water drips off, and it should be stored in
a place with proper ventilation. Don’t keep your toothbrush in an airtight
container and throw it in the drawer if it is wet.
Changing toothbrushes: The human mouth contains around 500 to 1,000
different types of bacteria. Individuals that practise oral hygiene have 1,000 to 100,000 bacteria living on each tooth surface. Your toothbrush removes bacteria from the mouth and these bacteria get accumulated between the bristles
of the toothbrush. It is recommended to change the toothbrush every three
to four months. This also helps in maintaining your toothbrush always in a good shape.
Not using proper tools: Toothbrush is not the only tool we have when it comes to maintaining a proper oral hygiene. Other tools such as dental
floss, mouthwash, sugar free mouth refreshing chewing gums can also be used. Avoiding periodic visits to a dentist: When it comes to oral hygiene, visiting your dentist once in every six months is strictly advised.
Over a period of six months some deposits get accumulated between your teeth which cannot be removed by the regular toothbrush. Your dentist does a procedure called
oral prophylaxis (dental cleaning) to remove these hard deposits. Regular
visit to the dentist can also help you with early detection of dental caries and other oral health related issues and resolving it in the early stages.
Whole eggs or egg whites: Which Is healthier?
Should you have just egg white or the
whole egg? This a perennial question
and there is no easy answer. While some say that egg whites are far
healthier, many question the wisdom. The nutritional value of an egg can vary greatly, depending on whether one has the whole egg or just the egg-whites. The whites or clear, thick liquid that surrounds the bright yellow yolk of an egg, is made up of around 90pc water and 10pc protein.
Whole eggs are not only a rich source of vitamins and minerals but
also tend to be high in protein and calories.
On the other hand, egg-whites tend to be low in vitamins, high in protein and low in calories.
Here’s what you need to
note
While whole eggs may be providing more protein to the body, they tend to also bring in more calories.
The protein in egg-whites are also considered to be ‘high-quality
complete protein’, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids in the amounts that the body needs.
Choose according to your family health history and your requirements.
Eating whole eggs is also associated with making you feel full and helping you consume fewer calories. They are also known to be nutritionally more beneficial as compared to egg-whites.
7 steps to make your own salad jar ?
1) In the base, add the dressing to the mason jar, so that the rest of the ingredients do not get soggy.
2) Second, add the grains or a protein like quinoa or egg.
3) Follow this with chopped veggies like carrots, cucumbers, zucchini or even pulses like chickpea and mung.
4) Softer veggies like tomatoes and avocado are added on top so they stay better.
5) Now, add seeds like roast pumpkin and chia as well as nuts like walnuts.
6) Let your leafy greens be added last with a sprinkling of herbs if you like.
7) When you are about to eat, give the jar a shake to evenly spread the dressing in the jar.
Common sleep disorders, their symptoms not to ignore ?
Common sleep disorders, their symptoms not to ignore
There may be quite a few of you who have trouble sleeping at night. Even if you do manage to doze off, you might
keep waking up from time to time. Many of us, however, tend to ignore the signs until the problem becomes persistent and result in sleep disorder.
“Sleep disorder is a common problem today that co-exists with headache and day-to-day stress. Some patients do not come forth with sleep issues, but every time they come with a headache problem, a common neurological disorder, we find that at least 60-70pc of the times it is related to disrupted sleep. In such cases, the headache may be the culprit for lack of sleep or vice versa,”Dr Rima Chaudhari, consultant neurologist at Fortis Hospital, Mulund said.
So what are the signs to
watch out for? Dr Chaudhari said that most patients either have trouble falling asleep or find it difficult to maintain sleep throughout the night. “A less common sleep disorder is that of waking up early or what is known as an advanced phase of sleep disorder,” she said.
Types of sleep disorders
Insomnia is not just the only kind of sleep disorder, contrary to popular misconception. Here are the common kinds of sleep disorders you should know about:
Sleep apnea
This is a serious sleep disorder in which the breathing repeatedly stops and starts. This makes the oxygen levels in the blood drop, which the body senses and pulls one out of sleep to help them breathe again. Loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep or waking up with a dry
mouth are common symptoms.
Sleep paralysis
This refers to a temporary inability to move or speak during any transition between waking up and falling asleep. People also tend to hallucinate in case of sleep paralysis.
Studies show about 7.6pc of people experience at least one episode of sleep paralysis in their lives. The
episodes typically last for only a couple of minutes as the brain wakes up or falls asleep fully.
Restless leg syndrome
This is a neurological movement disorder which involves an uncontrollable urge to move your legs due to an uncomfortable sensation like ache, burning or tingling. This condition can cause difficulty in sleeping or disrupt it.
Insomnia
A very common form of sleep disorder, insomnia basically refers to people’s inability to sleep or stay asleep for as long as they desire. People who have insomnia tend to feel sleep during the daytime and
can be low on energy, irritable or depressed.
Circadian rhythm disorder
This typically happens when your internal biological clock is not in sync with external time cues. It could be
because of working night shifts, jet lag, or having an erratic sleep cycle.
How to sleep better at night
A good night’s sleep, Dr Chaudhari said, is extremely important to regulate our body functions.
“There are a lot of hormones including stress controlling hormones
which are maintained while we are asleep. Anyone who says they sleep
for only three hours and believe it’s enough is mistaken since that is not very healthy. Lack of sleep interrupts your ability to deal with stress,” she informed.
While stress itself is an important deterrent, our lifestyle choices also impact our sleep cycle. And to cope with sleep issues, here are some tips, suggested by Dr Chaudhari.
- Maintain a good sleep
hygiene
Most of the sleep-related problems can be sorted out with just a good sleep hygiene. This entails maintaining a fixed bedtime, having dinner early and
not going to bed too late. - Reduce caffeine intake
Nothing refreshes you better than a hot cup of coffee but remember caffeine can impact your sleep quality negatively. It increases adrenaline production and impacts the sleep-inducing functions of the brain.
- Reduce screen time
From kids to adults, most of us spend a lot of time of the day glued to our mobile phones or laptop screens and sometimes
till late at night, delaying sleep. In a 2018 study published in Cell Reports, researchers at Salk Institute showed how certain cells in the eye process ambient light and reset our internal clocks resulting in circadian rhythm disorders.
- Maintain a proper meal
time
There should be a good two-hour gap between the meal and bedtime for better digestion. You should not go to bed immediately after dinner. - Exercise regularly
Exercise does not just tire you out but also helps reset the sleep cycle by raising body temperatures slightly which then drops, triggering sleep.
HIV patients lose immunity to smallpox despite vaccination, AIDS drugs ?
HIV patients lose immunity to smallpox despite vaccination, AIDS drugs
People infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) lose immunity to smallpox even after much of their immune system is restored with drug therapy, according
to a study which may lead to new interventions against opportunistic infections in HIV patients.
According to the researchers, including those from Oregon Health and Science University in the US, this
condition called HIV-associated immune amnesia may explain why patients with AIDS tend to average than their HIV-negative counterparts, despite being on drug therapy.
The study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, compared the immune system’s T -cell, and antibody responses of a total of 100 HIV-positive and HIV-negative women who were vaccinated against smallpox in their
youth.
Based on the findings, the researchers said the immune systems of HIV positive women who were on antiretroviral drug therapy had a limited response when their blood was exposed to the ‘vaccina virus’ used in the smallpox vaccine.
They said those vaccinated against
smallpox, normally have CD4 T cells that remember the virus and respond in large numbers when they’re exposed again. Earlier studies had revealed that these immune cells specific to the smallpox virus are
maintained for up to 75 years after vaccination. But in the current study,
despite antiretroviral therapy boosting CD4 T cell counts in HIV-positive patients, they were susceptible to smallpox infection.
According to the scientists, this indicates that while antiretroviral
therapy may boost total T cell counts overall, it doesn’t recover virus-specific T cells generated from prior childhood vaccinations.
The research team plans to evaluate whether the same findings
apply for HIV-infected men, and if people living with HIV also lose immune memory to other disease.
Infection ? Cause and cure
Infection cause and care:-Infections are universal phenomena affecting
all ages and sexes. The symptoms are fever, pain,cold, cough, diarrhoea,
vomiting and cramps. Infections are caused by external organisms,usually
bacteria or viruses, entering the body.
Bacteria have been in existence for billions of years and predates even
dinosaurs. Single-celled organisms very much like a plant cell, they have a rigid outer wall supporting a thin, flexible membrane that surrounds fluid cytoplasm and a nucleus.
Bacteria are able to survive extreme heat, freezing cold and even radioactivity. They go into a dormant
state or mutate so that they can change their structure to withstand adverse conditions. Many bacteria live harmlessly in the environment and the human body. Some are beneficial and can help in digestion, produce micronutrients and vitamins, and even attack cancer cells.
Only one per cent of bacteria is harmful and causes disease. The infections have to be treated with antibiotics. This medication either kills the bacteria outright or prevents
them from reproducing until the population superannuates and dies.
Sometimes, it is impossible to clinically distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. Antibiotics may then be prescribed because of pressure from patients or
bought over the counter.
But antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.
Their misuse has leads to a global problem of superbugs bacteria that are resistant to available antibiotics and which can eventually cause death.
Viruses are tinier than bacteria and can only be seen under an electron microscope. They contain
genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA in a protein coat. They are incapable of independent existence and have to enter a living cell to survive. Once inside, they reprogramme the cell nucleus and multiply rapidly. Finally, the cellbursts and the viruses are released into the immediate environment and the
bloodstream. When they invade, they can transform a normal cell into a malignant one.
A n t i – v i r a l medication is
available against a few viral infections such as hepatitis B and
C, herpes and influenza. They
are not as effective as immunisation, which programmes the body’s own cells to produce antibodies against
the virus. This remains in the memory of the cell. Although the antibody level falls over a period of time, in the event of an infection, the cells can make antibodies rapidly. Immunisation is available against viral infections such as hepatitis A and B, chicken pox, measles, mumps, German measles, polio, diarrhoea
due to rotavirus, seasonal flu, Japanese B encephalitis and HPV (human papilloma virus) which causes 97 per cent of the cervical
cancers.
Some bacterial infections such as diphtheria, tetanus, pneumonia, ear infections, and typhoid can also be prevented with immunisation.
Unfortunately, there is a great deal of unscientific negative publicity on social media about the perceived undocumented and unproven side effects of vaccines. As a result, many
children are being denied protection by guardians.
Bacterial infections for which there is no treatment or immunisation have to be treated with
appropriate antibiotics in the correct dose for a sufficient duration. Viral infections such as bronchitis and otitis do not have any specific treatment. General measures like antipyretics for fever and cough suppressants can be used for
symptomatic relief. Recovery from viral infections may take 10 days to two weeks.
Infections are less frequent and recovery is more rapid in those children and adults who exercise regularly because it gives their immune systems a boost.
The writer is a paediatrician with a family practice at Vellore and the author of Staying Healthy in Modern India.
Unhealthy food could badly impact eyesight ?
Keep an eye on what you eat, as a recent study has found a link between an unhealthy diet and vision loss at an older age. After researching for around two decades, results have shown that a diet rich in red meat, fried foods, high-fat dairy,
processed meats and refined grains
can badly impact eyesight. The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, says there are links between a diet rich in unhealthy foods and agerelated macular degeneration.
The condition that impacts the retina with age, blurs central vision that is required to see objects clearly and perform everyday activities such as reading and driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, around 1.8 million people aged 40 and above are living with AMD, and another 7.3 million have a condition called drusen, which usually precedes AMD.
Senior study author Dr Amy Millen, of the University at Buffalo in New York, told Medical News Today, “Most people understand that diet influences cardiovascular disease risk and obesity; however, I’m not sure the public thinks about whether or not diet influences one’s risk of vision loss later in life. We wanted to examine how the overall pattern of one’s diet may predict later development of AMD, both early-onset and late-stage disease. What we observed in this study was that
people who had no AMD or early AMD at the start of our study, and reported
frequently consuming unhealthful foods, were more likely to develop vision-threatening, late-stage disease approximately 18 years later.”
The study looked at 66 different food types, which they later categorised into prudent, which included healthy food and western,
which includes processed, red meat, fried stuff, etc. Although the researchers found no link between
early AMD and dietary patterns, they found that the incidence of late AMD was three times higher among those with a Western diet pattern.
Health4u 