Category: Health

Kangaroo Care: A Bonding Experience With Advantages

Parenthood is a huge responsibility. Parents strive to have a good bonding with their children. Do you know that bonding opportunities start right off with the birth of the child? And with other scientific advantages. This bonding experience is scientifically termed as Kangaroo Care. So what does it exactly involve? Let’s see

Introduction

Kangaroo mother care, also known as skin to skin contact, is a treatment used by the medical workers in the cases of preterm underweight babies. Though it also has an integral part in the newborn care routine, it is of special significance for taking care of the premature low weight baby. The skin to skin contact primarily reduces the chances of the baby contracting hypothermia, while under neonatal intensive care. Apart from that, it helps to regulate and stabilize the baby’s cardiovascular and respiratory parameters, lowers the chances of contracting infections from the surrounding and also have a steady weight gain. 

Deriving similarities with the specific marsupials, who carry their younger ones around in a pouch, this medical phenomenon thrived in the 1970s, when there was a shortage of neonatal care services and equipment for premature low weight babies. Also, there were trends of high infant mortality rates and large number of infection cases. Originally started for the full term babies, this technique soon gained prominence in premature care techniques.

Requirements and Objectives

The preterm babies who weigh less than 1500 grams and can breathe without any external support are the primary cases requiring KMC. Babies under monitoring or some other specialized medical care are not eligible to get KMC initially. For premature low weight babies, a weight increase rate of  15-20g/kg/day is considered to be ideal.

Under KMC, some parameters like temperature and heart rate are checked regularly. Also, monitoring for any symptoms of apnea, diarrhea, yellow skin, convulsions are done.

Kangaroo care has a primary objective, that is to establish bonding with parents and/or family members. The physiological and psychological connect provided by this technique is very effective. Ideally, the contact must be from immediately after the birth and cleaning of the baby, till the first feeding . The baby would be wearing only a diaper and hat, and are placed over the parents chest for direct skin to skin contact. Apart from warmth, this also provides various simulations, essential for baby’s growth, like the vestibular stimulation from parent’s breathing and chest movements, auditory stimulation for parent’s voice and so on. The baby needs to be held in the fetal position for optimum contact. Usually the mother is the one to provide Kangaroo Care, as she also happens to have to feed the baby. But the father can too provide it. In some cases, even the family members also do it. The babies tend to develop attachment with the caregivers. A ground point is that the process should be as long as possible, and should be least disruptive. Normally, it is recommended for healthy babies for upto 3 months and for premature babies upto 6 months.

Advantages

Kangaroo Care has been associated with higher levels of parental confidence. Parents, who have done KC are more likely to be sure of themselves while handling the baby. It also decreases the anxiety levels in both the parents and in the child. Infact, it is recommended that babies should be held close to the skin during any medical procedure after their birth, as holding the babies close to skin reduces their pain. Kangaroo Care also provides a chance to the fathers to establish a very good bonding with the baby. This helps the baby recognize the father’s voice and also stabilize various physiological parameters. These children tend to have better sleep trends and cry less. They also tend to have better cognitive growth and in general, a better rate of growth and development in the long run. Another advantage is the smooth feeding process. Skin to skin contact stimulates the breast feeding response in the babies and hence, it becomes easy and less stressful for the mother to feed the baby. Apart from that, it is observed that the mothers who have participated in KMC tend to produce larger quantities of milk for a longer period of time. For the medical institutions too, KMC is an advantageous opportunity. With lower requirements for neonatal care units and expensive equipment, it also provides ample opportunity to educate the first time parents about some basics. And then, there is the advantage of reduced hospital stay.

With all these advantages, Kangaroo Care is here to stay!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_care

Are Our Defences To Fight Against Virus… working?

We all are suffering a crisis,and it does a little by avoiding it. With the vaccines still being months away,our only means of protection are a few only a few things which we can do. But…are they even helping us?

No offence,but my motive in no way is to scare you out and blabber about how the world has become so cruel. No. Just no. The main motive of writing is just so that you  start to be aware of certain things. This makes you buy things in an effective manner without turning a blind eye on anything.

So,what does our defence involve? Okay…let’s see..

  1. Gloves(although they don’t last too long)
  2. Mask(please let your mask stay where it is supposed to be!)
  3. Sanitizers (at least they don’t have anything wrong with them….right?)

There are many more things like the suit in which you look like a lab surgeon etc. Trust me the situation is not to be laughed at. But we can rarely do something when the situation is so sensitive. And while you are out there battling this calamity every single day,why not make it a tinsy bit brighter!

Anyways,though the things which we think ought to protect us,you might want to recheck some products out of them

  • Gloves

What is the sole purpose of gloves? Well,so that the microbe does not make any contact with our hands. But it’s true that the microbe makes contact with the gloves.  This makes it just like our hands, doesn’t it? Unless you sanitize your gloves regularly. See,gloves are useful so that our hands don’t come  in contact with the microbe. But you have to keep in mind that you should avoid any contact of the gloves with your skin.

Photo by Chokniti Khongchum

  • Masks

What could possibly be wrong with masks? Safety masks are supposed to make it so that you do not get the microbe into your body,and as the medium we are dealing with is air,masks are used. But masks are for your safety,not so that you choke yourself. Meaning,buying expensive masks and a normal mask,both work for the sole cause,to protect you. And wearing a mask to cover your chin will not possibly make you safe. 

Photo by Anna Shvets 

  • Sanitizers

Sanitizers are used so that the microbe does not remain on the surface.But the contents in the sanitizers are very important to check. To kill a microbe,a sanitizer must contain about 75 to 80% of ethanol, commonly known as spirit. Ethanol in the Sanitizers is what kills the microbes. But some sanitizers have something called methanol in their sanitizers . Why is methanol? Methanol is commonly known as wood alcohol,and if a sanitizer has any methanol in it,it can potentially be fatal to you. Methanol basically makes your skin really dehydrated and dry and may cause something called dermatitis(skin irritation). The symptoms of metabolism poisoning are as follows:

  1. Nausea
  2. Vomiting
  3. Dizz
  4. Disturbance in your vision
  5. Headache
  6. Unconsciousness
  7. Weakness in body

Now,if you have any of the following symptoms, don’t go running to your doctor. Methanol poisoning maybe one of the factors which are probably making your body react in such a way. If you face by of these problems,first go around and see whether your sanitizer includes any percent of methanol in it. If so, immediately stop the usage of such sanitizers. Even if they are expensive,they are not more than your health. But really,do we even know  the things which are added to the sanitizers which are labelled even genuine? Which is why,do make sure of the contents in the sanitizers.

Photo by Anna Shvets 

You might be wondering,’why is the writer writing these types of articles now…? ‘You see,for a long time I have been brushing off any topics which relate to our present conditions,but at some point of time  I have realised that brushing off things will not make them disappear. Sooner or later,we just have to face them. So..just wanted to clear that. 

I do not blame the system,they are doing wonders out there,but one should always remain alert if anybody is scamming with your money and conning you with their words.

Anyhow,we sort of have adapted ourselves to these conditions and probably will learn to find the fun in this as well!!

Fact: Suppose if you are in contact with a particular microbe for a certain amount of time,your body learns to get immune to the microbe itself! Which means,even if the microbe does enter your body,the body already knows how to kill it!

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/fda-says-avoid-9-hand-sanitizers-that-contain-toxic-methanol#:~:text=Agency%20officials%20said%20the%20hand,dermatitis%20to%20the%20affected%20region.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol

5 Great Benefits of Listening to Music

Music is entertainment, then is also meditation. If there is a companion of sorrow, there is also the voice of self-contemplation. Life is incomplete without music. And it is music that fills happiness in your desolate world.


Do you know how important music is in your life? Music is the way through which happiness can be found in life.

So let’s tell you, the benefits of listening to music, by which many people are blessed by adopting, which is as follows…

1. Listening to music while exercising is beneficial

According to a survey in Britain, it has been found that music maintains enthusiasm, increases patience and improves mood. By listening to music, our attention does not go towards the discomfort caused during exercise. In research, the effect of music on 30 people was studied while walking on a treadmill. The performance during listening to motivational and non-motivational was better than the exercise performed while not listening to music.

2. Listening music increases memory power 

Some people have a habit of listening to music while studying. According to him, this allows him to study better. Now research also proves their point. Listening to regular music reduces the ageing process. It also has a good effect on the victims of dementia. Taking interest in music releases dopamine hormone in the body, which gives excitement and motivation. Children’s inclination towards music makes their conversation effective. The ability to think and understand has a good effect, which causes the Verbal IQ to accelerate.

3. Lack of stress and restlessness due to listening to music

Listening to slow melodies without words gives peace to the mind. Stress is reduced and increased heart rate improves. The breathing process is normal. There is immediate ease in restlessness. Whether you listen to music, sing or play it, it has a good effect in all its forms. According to experts, listening to regular music gives relief on both physical and mental levels. Sleeps well too. Fear, frustration and anger are reduced. The mind becomes happy and if you want peace, then you should listen to classical music or slow music or listen to the tune of the flute.

4. Listening to music reduces pain

Music has a good effect on the nervous system. This is the part that controls blood pressure, heart rate and brain processes. There is also an effect on the part of the brain that controls the emotion. Listening to regular music of people suffering from muscle pain reduces symptoms of depression and pain. Increased heart rate is controlled by slow rhythm music. Shoulder, stomach and back stress is reduced.

5. Listening to music keeps the body healthy

According to researchers, listening to music improves the level of antibodies useful for the body’s immune system. I am talking about those antibodies which protect our body against diseases. Also, a good effect is seen in the digestive process.

These were the advantages of listening to music – music is the miracle that used to light up the court of Jalaluddin Akbar.

It is said that when Tansen used to sing Deepak Raga and Megh Malhar, the extinguished lamps automatically lit up and it used to rain. There is power in music, which has forced a very cruel ruler to become a good person. These were the advantages of listening to music!

When music has shown such a feat, why are you still devoid of the benefits of listening to music?

Drug Addiction

                   

Drug addiction is a worldwide malady. Eating into the vitals of the younger generation of the country. They are the future hopes of the nation. It had posed a grave problem to the society in the eighties. In the USA & some other developed western countries, it is so widespread that about 75% of the entire population is drug-addict, directly or indirectly. In India & many other developing countries, it has spread like a wildfire in the last few decades, leading the nation to the point of being doomed.

 Generally, the young people of the well-to-do family fall into prey to drug addiction. Substances such as L. S. D, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and nicotine are considered drugs. This drug trafficking enters the country from the USA, Pakistan, Burma, Thailand & Afganistan through illicit smugglers & some rich influential mafia groups. Unscrupulous pedlars sometimes sell these drugs through drugged food secretly thus making school goers & University students drug addicts at a very primitive age. This affects their life extensively & the trend is totally going crazy with the rise of the lucrative business of some extremely greedy dishonest businessman & mafia group who are carrying on this drug trafficking secretly.

 There are many causes of drug addiction. The younger generation generally takes it up as a fad in or to copy the Western people. This habit results from frustration, deserted love, parental neglect, disinterest in studies, loneliness, unemployment stress & most importantly peer pressure. So it may be termed as a result of the modern way of life & industrial & western civilization. The process begins with some youths adapting without being aware of it. But once they take recourse to drugs, it’s tough to shake off this evil habit.

 Drugs interact with the brain and body to alter moods, emotions, and behaviors by changing brain chemistry and a person’s perceptions, and by impacting how individuals interact with the world around them. It brings drowsiness, causes hallucinations, migrates people to the dreamland of their own pleasant creation. This makes them escapists from the harder realities of life & relieves them from the struggle of existence. It brings a very ruinous effect on their consumers, shattering their physical, mental & moral health & corrupting them completely. Moreover, it has the caliber to cause most killer disease, AIDS.

 So all attempts must be made to uproot this evil habit of drug addiction from the society at an early date and at all costs in order to save the young generations from this sure & steady destruction. The Government must enact strict laws to face & stop this nuisance of drug trafficking. Campaigns must be regularly held & supported by the mass media. Arrangements should be taken for proper & speedy rehabilitation of the reformed drug addicts in the society so that they can return to their normal life. 

88% Covid positive pregnant women asymptomatic

Asymptomatic women with Covid-19 are at risk of infecting their newborns and also pose a risk to healthcare providers and other patients.

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A new study, conducted among over 1,140 pregnant women in the state, has found that 88 per cent Covid positive pregnant women were asymptomatic and has strongly recommended the strategy of universal testing.

The study — ‘Universal screening identifies asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 among pregnant women in India’ — has been accepted for publication in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology. It was conducted by the State Medical Education and Drugs Department, government of Maharashtra, and ICMR – National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, along with other hospitals.

Asymptomatic women with covid19 are at risk of infecting their newborns and also pose a risk to healthcare providers and other patients. Considering this, the Indian Council of Medical Research has recommended universal testing for SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women. “Our joint collaborative study has estimated presence of one symptomatic to every nine asymptomatic pregnant women with Covid-19,” said Dr Smita Mahale, director of ICMR- National Institute of Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH).

In all, 141 of 1,140 pregnant women tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, resulting in a prevalence of 12.3 per cent in Maharashtra. For estimation of numbers of symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women, the data of 141 women was pooled with data from Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, which exclusively caters to Covid-19 patients. Of the 321 SARS-CoV-2 positive women, only 37 women were symptomatic. The prevalence of symptomatic pregnant women is 11.5 per cent while that of asymptomatic pregnant women is 88.5 per cent.

Leisure : Uses & Misuses

 Leisure is defined by Google as the time when one isn’t working or occupied. As the old maxim says ‘All work & no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ The maxim has never lost its meaning & it will never lose its significance in our day-to-day life. One must learn to incorporate other curricular activities as well in their daily lives to improve the quality of their lives. The theory is not limited within an age limit so irrespective of that right from a kindergarten student to working professionals.

Disregarding the fact if one is occupied with work & has an occupied schedule one should find at least enough time to spend with themselves & their loved ones. Having a goal-oriented approach in life is okay & one must have that, but living out life, doing things that give you pleasure is also necessary. One can cite the root cause of depressions & other severe mental disorders due to lack of leisure time. A dry, constantly overburdened & monotonous life causes the spring of our life’s vitality will get dried up. It has a nourishing influence on life. Leisure in life is just like green parks & open spaces to a congested & crowded city.

https://www.pexels.com/

 Albeit, this shouldn’t be confused with idleness or shirking duties. Rather should be spent in meaningful & healthy pursuits. Finding joy in spending leisure time practicing your hobbies is one. You may try listening to some loud music or plug in your earphones while reading a novel. Some may prefer spending time composing poems or songs while others might find gardening interesting. Don’t hesitate to do anything that derives your inner peace & happiness. 

 In present times, binging TVs, Laptops & phones are the most popular & easily available means of spending leisure. People are just a tap away from watching films, web series, dramas, sports events, musical programs, quizzes, discussions, or even news channels. There are innumerable options to avail of them. The modern technology has certainly made people more informative & lazy on the contrary. 

 As it is rightly said, anything in excess isn’t good. So addiction to past time can prove to be harmful. Binging cricket matches on TV may prove to be harmful. This may cause a person to develop an absent-minded approach for serious works & duties. Similarly causing a student to deflect from his fields. 

Indoor Pollution: The Silent Killer

Home sweet home. The place where we return everyday. Our safe haven. But is it as safe as we believe to be? Especially for our health. The present scientific and environmental scenario say otherwise.

Indoor pollution is the pollution caused by the presence of various particulate, chemical and biological pollutants, which can cause even serious harm to the human body. Infact, it has been ranked amongst the top five public health risk factors. There are some problems in the study of this type of pollution, due to the individuality and uniqueness of each residential ecosystem. The specific levels of various pollutants vary, based on various external and internal factors. Hence, it becomes difficult to explain the impact of indoor pollution in an uniform manner, for an individual pollutant component or even as a whole. 

The standard of measurement of this condition is indoor air quality (IAQ). In industrial countries, approximately, 1/3 rd of all the buildings tend to have IAQ problems at some point of time. Across the world, 30% of IAQ related complaints are against new or remodelled buildings. Health problems due to poor IAQ range from mild (cold and flu like symptoms) to severe (allergies, asthma, cancer, developmental disorders, or in some cases, death) symptoms.

Indoor pollutant sources includes humid spaces like in kitchen, showers etc., which are ideal thriving spot for various biological pollutants (eg. mold). Also, fuel consuming appliances, aerosol sprays (like deodorants, room freshners etc.), pesticides and so on are a n identified source of particulate as well as chemical pollutants within the residence

Some chemical pollutants have been identified and their harmful exposure levels have also been evaluated. Other pollutant types have been more difficult to evaluate about the acceptable exposure level. Some of the common pollutants are:-

  • Carbon Monoxide: Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless gas that is adverse for human health even at low levels. High concentrations of CO are potentially fatal and can even cause death. CO poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, chest pain and vomiting. It’s presence as an indoor pollutant is primarily due to fuel consumption and improper ventilation.
  • Nitrogen dioxide: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) also happens to be a colourless, odorless gas with visible adverse effects on health even at lower levels. It primarily causes  irritation to the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat. HIgh exposures lead to  respiratory irritation, shortness of breath and might also contribute to lung diseases like emphysema. It is also a product of fuel burning. Improper placing and/or maintenance of chimneys can lead to driving the pollutants back into the house. 
  • Lead: Lead (Pb) as pollutant is evaluated to be widely present in plumbing materials, gasoline and paints. LEad particulates can be both inhaled and ingested. Accumulation of lead in the body, more specifically into the soft tissue and bones can eventually affect the whole living system. Low level exposures,in children, may lead to impairment in physical and mental development, like lower IQ, shortened attention span etc. Additionally, they can also cause problems in the nervous system, kidney and blood cells. HIgh level exposure risks involve convulsions, coma or even, death.
  • Radon: Radon (Rn), a radioactive gas, is a common element present in the abiotic components of the system. They enter the house via cracks and  drains, get trapped in the living space and with time, keeps accumulating. Since it is odorless, it gets hard to detect. Exposure via inhalation leads to problems like lung cancer.
  • Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde (CH2O) is a well recognized carcinogen, but still finds us in daily household items, like fabrics, paints and furniture. The urea- formaldehyde resins are the most polluting type. Formaldehyde may be inhaled or even may get adsorbed by the skin. Even at extremely low levels, symptoms like allergies, asthma, throat and nose irritation, nausea and headache have been observed.

The most worrisome part is that these items are indispensable parts of daily life. Atleast, till other alternatives are discovered. This leaves us with a question, are all these amenities and necessities for a comfortable living worth all the adverse effects they come with? 

Developing a Drug-Free Lifestyle

Hello readers I am the intern of HARYALI NGO and want to share my thoughts through this article ,so please read this, may be it would be helpful to you😊.

If you are trying to maintain abstinence from alcohol or drugs over a long period of time, it is important to develop a drug-free lifestyle in all aspects of your life—at home, at work and during your leisure hours.

How to Build an Alcohol Free Social Life After Rehab

If you sought treatment from a professional rehab program for your alcohol or drug problem, one of the most important objectives of your continuing or follow-up care is to help you learn to replace your previous destructive behaviors with more healthy and productive alternatives.

Supportive Friends and Family

One of the first steps in developing a drug-free lifestyle is to avoid those people who were directly involved in your former drinking or drug-using lifestyle—those who helped you get drugs, use drugs or were your drinking buddies. 

Developing a Structured Schedule

Another important aspect of developing a drug-free lifestyle is to develop a structured daily schedule that you can consistently follow. Structure and organization in your life can be your best friends in recovery, while a chaotic and disorganized lifestyle can be your enemy.

Developing Larger, Expanded Goals

While maintaining your sobriety remains a high priority in your life, in order to develop a long-term drug-free lifestyle, it is helpful to identify larger goals for your future. Now that you have achieved more than 90 days of abstinence, you will probably begin to develop larger, long-term goals such as going back to school, changing career paths or saving toward financial goals.

Developing Spirituality

Spirituality can be an important factor in any successful recovery program. It involves connecting to a power that extends beyond the concerns of daily living. Your counselor will encourage you to become involved in efforts “greater than yourself” such as doing service work for your support group, becoming more involved in your religious organization, doing community service or volunteering for charity work.

THANK YOU

Mental Health Awareness

If we look more closely at the word suicide, we can really turn it around to read it as u decide. But have most of us stopped to think the same with our lives too. Whenever faced with an issue we all decide to reach to a very extreme solution, that is ending our lives. No matter how small or big the problem is suicide seems like an easy way out sometimes.

There is always a solution, a answer or a way out to all the problems we face. All we need to do is to look at it clearly but sometimes what happens is that we forget to do it. It is advisable to consult someone and talk about your problems. Just like the saying goes sharing is caring. Sharing our problems can lower the burden sometimes.  But most of don’t like sharing our thoughts especially because of the stigma attached towards it by the society. People are scared that they might not fit into society’s perception of a perfect human being, that they are ready to risk their mental health too.

Mental illness is the illness of the brain which an result in the change in the behavior and thinking of a person. It is also just like any other disease that affects our body which can be cured with the proper medicine. One of the most common mental health issues found among people are anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Mental health is a primary component of a human being. And it is high time that we give certain importance to it too, after all we need healthy and sound people as our work force rather than people whos minds are not at the right places

Recently people are coming out of their holes in admitting that they have mental health issues too. Many celebrities have also taken up the issue of addressing the need for wiping out any kinds of stigma around mental health. Lets talk is a frontline campaign for the mental health movement where people are encouraging others to talk about their mental illness and any kinds of problems they face.

Sometimes it becomes so hard to reach out to people because we believe that they cannot help us. But what we think about certain things might not always be true. There is always two sides to a coin. We have to all make sure to have empathy to people rather then being sympathetic.
We cannot always find someone willing to talk to. And sometimes we simply cannot tell the difference between a person not suffering from mental illness and one who is suffering from mental illness. Like other diseases its not a visible one under an eye. It is something that can only be cured with a proper approach towards the patient.  

What causes Nightmares?

We all,at some point of our life may have experienced nightmares. But what exactly is the sole cause of nightmares…..?

Nightmares are usually disturbing, scary and are remembered  unlike the normal dreams we have. Nightmares are even more common in children. But many adults experience nightmares as well. They are vividly realistic. And what do I mean by ‘vivid’ ? Something which is actually entwined with your thoughts,or any past occurrences  experienced before.

Photo by Craig Adderley

  • When can one possibly get nightmares? 

Nightmares are usually experienced by one during a period of something called the REM sleep. Humans are the only animals or mammals which are able to sleep on their back.Also,we humans have the ability to sleep in complete unconsciousness. Meaning we can sleep without any further complications. Mind you not every animal has the ability to do that .In fact the phenomenon is quite rare. Now,the REM sleep. REM basically means Rapid Eye  Movement. It is the one of the 4 stages of sleeping. This is usually the period when we get our dreams. So if you sleep,suppose at 10:00 pm,then the REM sleep ,i.e your dreams are experienced around  3 to 5 am. So…why don’t we move during our sleep? Actually we do. We do move during our sleep, but when  your sleep period enters the REM sleeps, two enzymes or chemicals,namely GABA, and glycine make our body ‘slow down’. And what am I implying by this term? Basically,when you sleep,your body is not particularly working,and even if it did,it would be due to your dreams. To save this energy,rather than wasting them on just some stupid movements,your body makes the organs to slow down a bit. Including your muscles, respiration etc. One can also say that your body is ‘temporarily’ paralysed. But this can also be traumatic because then,one might experience something called ‘sleep paralysis’. What is sleep paralysis? It is a condition where your brain or your eyes are conscious, but your body is still in the stage of REM sleep. And  why should this be a problem? People who have experienced sleep paralysis  describe it with something like, ‘ A person sitting on your chest and clamping your mouth with the worst nightmares in front of you’. What does the above statement mean? You see,suppose you are in the period of REM sleep,your body paralysed,which also includes your lungs,i.e your breathing levels are a bit slower and steadier than usual. In fact,there is a disorder,where people tend to forget breathing in their sleep,resulting in choking and even death in some cases. Anyways,now that you are conscious,your breathing still continues to have the result of the REM sleep. Which makes you feel like you are choking. People recommend that curling your toes has visibly lessened the discomfort,but that only limits till the first or the second stage of sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis can last as short as 10 minutes and as long as 2 hours as well. This  often results in  post traumatic conditions and one may even  develop a fear to sleep.

Okay,back to our concept of nightmares. Nightmares are  a consequence of higher levels of metabolism. 1.Metabolism(metabolism is basically a process where your food is converted into energy (ATP). What may be the possible reason for this to happen? Well, remember the times when you have a craving for some night snacks? That may be one of the most common reasons for metabolism levels to be higher. When this happens,your brain waves get triggered and ultimately resulting in  nightmares. 

2.One of the reasons for nightmares can also be extreme stress and depression. 3.Intake of certain supplements could also be the reason for such circumstances. For example, medications of poor pressure, antidepressants etc.

Photo by Pedro Figueras 

4. Nightmares can also be a result of certain sleep disorders like insomnia(inability to sleep,often resulting in dozing in some embarrassing positions..)

5. Anxiety can also be the cause of nightmare

6. People with trauma may also find themselves in similar situations.

7. Nightmares often include your worst fears,like falling of the cliff being the most common.

These can be some of the reasons which may cause nightmares. Again,not the word ‘may’. These are some of the known reasons but they mostly depend upon our bodily conditions and our brain cells.Nightmares can usually be prevented or avoided by planning a committed and efficient diet plan also keeping in mind to not eat snacks constantly. Because this might not turn out to be that good for your liver which has to metabolize the food constantly. Also,try to keep yourself in a calm state. Oh yes,it’s not gonna be as easy as it sounds. But  let’s just give it a  try? Please? 

Chocolate Poisoning: Comfort For Us, Catastrophe For Our Pet Friends

Chocolate is one of the favourite foods of human beings. A gift, a comfort food, a truce, you name it, chocolate has everything covered. And it is unanimously favourite in almost all the age groups, but more in the younger ones. All and all, chocolates’ demand isn’t going down anytime in the near future. And speaking of tasty treats, we are taught to share it with friends. But are they good for our furry, pet friends too? Actually they aren’t! 

Animals, especially the commonly domesticated ones, are susceptible to chocolate poisoning. Chocolate contains a compound theobromine (C7H8N4O2), which is an alkaloid found in the cocoa trees. Apart from chocolate, this alkaloid is also found in tea leaves, kola nut, etc.  It has resemblance to the stimulants like caffeine and theophylline, and can be classified as xanthine alkaloid. For now, the median lethal doses for the cats, dogs, rats and mices are commonly known.

Alkaloids are organic compounds with a typically basic chemistry, but they also contain some compounds with neutral, or even slightly acidic properties. They all, uniformly, have a bitter taste. In nature, bitter taste is a danger indicator, and hence, are produced in several plants, like cocoa plant, as a response to the avoid predators. Animals, under the usual circumstances, do not consume the cocoa seeds. Even if some animals consume the cocoa pods, they dispose of the cocoa seed, despite their fat content, most likely due to the high amounts of theobromine.  

But, in chocolate, cocoa’s bitter flavour is partially or fully masked by the added sugar and fats. Hence the animals, especially the ones whose taste buds can detect sweetness, like dogs, have a tendency to consume them. Cats, on the other hand, due to absence of ability to detect sweetness, are not very prone to consuming chocolates accidently. 

Even in human beings, it can cause effects on consumption above a limit. The lethal dosage 50% (LD50), which happens to be the quantity that can kill 50% of the individuals of a particular species, in humans happens to be 1000mg/kg. At a consumption level of 0.8-1.5g/day, symptoms like sweating, headaches and trembling are observed. At 250mg/day, limited effects on the mood is observed. Along with human beings, rats and mices also have a good tolerance to theobromine, with the LD50 levels being 837 mg/kg and 1265 mg/kg respectively.

But, cats and dogs have comparatively lower quantities for LD50. The dogs drop down at the 300mg/kg level, while cats are at 200mg/kg. Hence, even a small amount of cocoa consumption can be harmful for them, especially for the smaller sized individuals. Also, the type of chocolate consumed is an important factor in the theobromine poisoning cases. The dark chocolate items contain a very high amount of theobromine concentration. In comparison to that, milk chocolate contains relatively smaller concentrations (10 times lesser than dark chocolate). Unsweetened cocoa powder is the most concentrated. 

The early symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, increased urination and mood swings.Dogs and cats digest theobromine slower than the human beings, and hence, are susceptible to succumbing to chocolate poisoning. Clinical symptoms of poisoning can last upto 72 hours. More severe symptoms include epilrptic seizures, internal bleeding and cardiac arrests. All these can lead to an eventual death.

If identified early, chocolate poisoning is treatable. Veterinarians treat these cases by inducing vomiting within two hours of ingestion, and by administering benzodiazepines for seizures. 

But whatever be the treatment, the ordeal is painful for the animals. And as the old saying goes around, “ Prevention is better than cure”. So, the least we can do for our beloved pets is to keep them safe from accidental consumption of harmful items.

Website Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine_poisoning

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine

World Alzheimer’s Day: It will be very easy to remember anything in these fun ways

If people with weak memory have to struggle to remember anything, then the fun tips given here will be of great help to you….

It is true that due to increasing dependence on technology, we do not have much trouble even forgetting some things, but trying to remember things always proves beneficial for mental health. Here are some ways, with the help of which it will be very easy to remember the names of people and places, key dates and some important numbers.

Reiterate Names

When you meet someone for the first time, after hearing its name, repeat that name two or three times in your mind. Even if you have a five-minute conversation with them, always address them by their name during that time. This will make it easier for you to remember their name and they will also feel good. 

Convert words to images

After hearing a new name, try to remember its meaning or any topic related to it. For example, if a person’s name is Pankaj, remember also that it means lotus flower, then you will always remember his or her name.

Adopt interesting ways

There are also some names of Hindi which can be translated into English in a fun way. For example, if a person’s name is Lal Bahadur Singh, then you can remember him by the name of Red Brave Lion.

Affiliation is required

Before saving the number of people, write a keyword with their name so that you will immediately remember why we had saved that mobile number. For example, if you talked to someone named Ashish for your child’s tuition, then save their number in your mobile name as Tuition Ashish. You won’t have any problems later.

Remember numbers in this way

It’s okay that people’s addresses and phone numbers are saved on your mobile. Yet the way to remember these is to remember it not in numbers but in words, for example, if someone’s house number is 315, it would be easier to remember it as three hundred and fifteen instead of three one five.

Add links for key dates

Even if Facebook reminds you, try to remember special occasions like your loved ones’ birthday and anniversary on your own. Often some of your friends or relatives’ birthdays will fall around each other. You can remember it like this – in the month of May, it is the birthday of three people, firstly of Soumya on the 2nd, Ketan on the 5th and finally of Saurabh on the 28th. In this way, you will never forget your close one’s birthday. 

Stay organized

Often people forget their things by keeping them here and there. To avoid such a problem, make a habit of keeping the goods back from where they are taken. If you succeed in trying to remember these tips, you will soon forget the habit of forgetting.

5 Personality traits to be adopted,if you are an emotionally weak person

Are you emotionally weak? Do you often give up at the face of adversity and fear challenges? Well, emotionally weak individuals often has such tendencies to escape from problems instead of seeing it as an opportunity to grow. Anyway, don’t worry about your emotional weaknesses as you can overcome your weakness by adopting this 5 personality traits found in emotionally strong people.
1) They are not attention seekers- emotionally strong people do not seek outside validation. They have learned to accept themselves the way they are and don’t beg for attention.They are confident people and are comfortable in their skin.
2) They don’t allow anybody bring them down- emotionally strong individuals do not let others bring them down or hurt them through their words. They stay away from naysayers and keep only positive people in their lives.
3) They do not run away from challenges- emotionally strong people are open to accept any challenge that life throws at them. They fight every battle, learn from the experience and use the lessons learnt to grow and better their life.
4) They seek happiness within- emotionally strong people understands the fact that happiness starts from oneself. They also understand that happiness is a choice so they make a choice to stay happy by following their passion and engaging themselves in activities that makes them happy. They live a productive life filled with contentment.
5) They don’t over react- Emotionally strong people do not over react or even respond to things that they know are not worthy of their attention. They know what matters to them and what doesn’t, so they do not waste their energy and time on over reacting on things that matters the least to them.
   So, if you are an emotionally weak person then you should try to adopt the traits of an emotionally strong person. The above mentioned points might help you to figure out the category you belong to. If you could relate to the traits of an emotionally strong person then you should feel proud of yourself for being so strong, if not don’t worry you can become emotionally strong too, all you need is a positive mindset and a will to change your life for the better! Follow your heart and never stop believing in yourself!

Serotonin and Sunlight: The Refreshing Combination

A dull day looks gloomy, feels gloomy and is gloomy. And that gut feeling is actually scientific and very much real!! 

Rise and Shine with the Sun

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is a multi functional molecule, which fulfills the role of a  neurotransmitter as well as of a hormone. Brain derived serotonin (BDS) works a neurotransmitter, whereas, gut derived serotonin (GDS) functions as a hormone.these two can never mix up and are separated by a special membrane, the blood-brain barriers Also, the synthesizing process of serotonin is a multistep process and due to the presence of two different kind of genes in an enzyme involved in producing serotonin, BDS and GDS are considered to be two distinct molecules. Serotonin, in the hormonal form, has established linkage with mood, perceiving abilities and memory. Also, relation between low levels of serotonin and depression/anxiety has also been traced. Other functions of the serotonin include regulation of sleep, digestion, blood clotting and also has a part in the regulation of the bone density. 

Now, sunlight has an important role in the health of an individual. Now you may ask, how? Well, it is because sunlight is believed to trigger an increase in the release of serotonin in the body. Serotonin, apart from being a mood booster, is also said to help with focus and feeling calm. No wonder, it is called the ‘feel-good’ chemical of our body. Hence, during season change, especially to winter, people have a significant chance of experiencing season based pattern depression, which was formerly known as  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is linked to the noticeable decrease to sun exposure. Also, serotonin, when acetylated and methylated, results in melatonin. Melatonin is the primary hormone related to the sleep cycle. Apart from that, melatonin is also involved in blood pressure regulation. So, it is an obvious fact that disturbance in levels of serotonin will ultimately affect the production of melatonin in the body, which in turn, will affect the sleep related processes in an individual. So if you are looking for a change from the night owl habits, how about soaking up some sunlight? P.S. Normal blood pressure and a healthy circulatory system are complementary! 

Limits for a reason…

GDS, surprisingly, isn’t too friendly with the bones. Higher than normal serotonin levels have been linked with osteoporosis (bones being porous and hence, fragile). With the laboratory experiments, it has been observed that serotonin prevents the replication and development of the osteoblasts. This leads to production of a significantly lesser number of cells by the osteoblasts in comparison to the cells destroyed by the osteoclasts. This, in return, leads to a lesser amount of bone material and the bone becomes porous. Sounds bad right?

But as they say, where there is a will, there is a way. The researchers have found a way to lower the serotonin levels, if and when required in the body, by a dietary regulation. This regulation involves the reduction in intake of tryptophan, which happens to be a requirement in the synthesis of serotonin. Talk about curbing a problem from the bud, huh?

So, all and all, serotonin is a pretty amazing hormone, but only at the normal levels. 

Website Reference:

How the Gut Talks to Bone
https://www.tricitymed.org/2018/08/5-ways-the-sun-impacts-your-mental-and-physical-health/#:~:text=That%20serotonin%20you%20soak%20up,also%20helps%20your%20body%20produce.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/serotonin

Have stress and anxiety taken over your life: which Ayurveda can help

Hello readers I am the intern of HARYALI NGO and want to share the problem of stress and anxiety through this article. Have a read on this and get an idea to solve this problem.

Given the times we live in, stress and anxiety are even more common now. So we got an Ayurveda expert to share how you can deal with these problems.

The importance of harmony and mental equilibrium was well recognized by early Ayurvedic sages over two thousand years ago. Although chronic stress and anxiety may have had low prevalence in ancient India, grief and tragedy are an inescapable reality of the human condition. Thus, ancient Ayurvedic physicians were no strangers to depression, stress, and anxiety.

Stress in Ayurveda is viewed as a nervous system disturbance. The roots of this disturbance are found in the balance of natural energy or doshas that govern our physical and psychological traits. As vata plays a critical role in regulating the nervous system, it is imperative to understand your individual prakriti or balance of doshas to effectively manage stress.

Time to bring scientific rigour to the complex challenge of Ayurvedic medicine - Nature India

By and large, however, such disorders may be linked to a vitiation or aggravation of vata. This can be caused through high exposure to sensory stimulation, such as overeating, inadequate rest, and overworking.

It should be noted that although vata imbalances are commonly to blame for stress and anxiety, pitta and kapha doshas can also play a role depending on the individual’s constitution. While vata-dominant dosha types are most vulnerable to stress disorders, such as anxiety and fear, pitta types are more likely to manifest stress in angry outbursts and impulsive behaviour. Kapha types tend to manifest stress disorders in increased sluggishness, lethargy, and a general loss of interest in activities. These changes also give rise to physical ailments, with a greater likelihood of hypertension, high blood sugar levels, slow metabolism and chronic gastrointestinal conditions.

1. Pamper yourself with a rejuvenating Ayurvedic head massage
Ayurvedic Head massage is an ancient technique to alleviate stress and calm the mind. It involves massaging the pressure points with circular strokes that focus on your head and neck regions.

This ancient but effective technique promotes sleep, enhances the circulation of blood to the mind, and improves scalp and hair conditions. An Ayurvedic head massage also uses natural and warm oils like narayan taila and brahmi oil. These Ayurvedic oils settle the vitiated Vata in the body. Slightly warm the oil and massage it onto your head, shoulder, and neck regions before going to bed to relieve stress and promote sound sleep.

2. Engage your feel-good hormones with delicious stress-relieving foods
Eating the right foods at the right time plays a significant role in controlling your hormones. Following a healthy diet not only keeps your weight in check but also manages your state of mind.

A bowl of warm oatmeal, wholewheat bread and pasta, cereals, oranges, spinach, avocado, pistachios, almonds, vegetables, and black tea are food items to eat every day. These boost the serotonin levels and tame the release of cortisol and stress harmones. In all, avoid sugar, alcohol, and caffeine-rich foods.

3. Experience the magic of Ayurvedic herbs
Ayurveda suggests using medicinal herbs to fight the disorder naturally. Herbs like tulsi, ginger, ashwagandha, brahmi, and jatamansi are adaptogenic and offer neuro-protective benefits. Ashwagandha and brahmi are ancient treasures of nature that lower cortisol levels and enhance cognitive abilities.

4.De-stress with yoga
Ayurveda and yoga go hand in hand. In Ayurveda, we believe in a holistic lifestyle thus, exercising or indulging in any form of physical training expands the capacities and enhances the process of circulation of nutrients in the tissues.

Top Tips For Yoga Beginners | realbuzz.com