Category: Health

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away- Fact or Fiction?

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Remember the classic theory of the law of gravity that Sir Issac Newton came up with when an apple fell upon his from the tree. This lead to the unfolding of a whole new dimension of Physics. Apple is also supposed to be the forbidden fruit of Eden. This English proverb is of Welsh origin.   

  Apples originated in the mountainous region of present-day Kazakhstan. They are a symbolism of health, love & fertility. It is the national fruit of Austria & its scientific name is Malus domestica. Apples are a part of the rose family just like pears & plums. This deciduous tree is widely grown that takes 4-5 years to produce its first fruit. The tree prospers by bee pollination & is considered to have a life expectancy of 30-35 years. 

  Often called a “miracle food” & “nutritional powerhouse,” an apple a day really may keep the doctor away. As one is quite aware of this well-known expression, have you ever really given a thought as to why it is said so? A 2015 study found no evidence that the proverb was true. The study only found that people who ate an apple a day used fewer medications. The proverb basically persuades for the intake of this nutritious fruit that will make one healthier.

   Apples are found to be loaded with Vitamin C, especially in the skins accompanied by a low content of micronutrients. Pectin, a soluble fiber is found to be present in this fruit that can help reduce cholesterol levels. A medium-sized apple is considered to have an average of 80-95 calories. 

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   Below mentioned are some key health benefits that might push to pick one daily:

 1. Aids Weight Loss 

 As apples contain a bulk of fibers, this makes it difficult & takes a rather long time to be digested in the stomach. Therefore this keeps one satiated and prevents from binging on other junks. 

 2. Smoothens the Digestion process 

 Pectin a soluble fiber draws water from the digestive tract and forms a gel, thus helping to lag digestion and pushing stool through the intestines. The apples are also said to contain malic acid, which is again a useful digestive aid. 

 3. Boost Brain Power

 Apples fasten up acetylcholine production, which helps in strengthening the communication between nerve cells and the brain that further improves memory and lower the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. 

 4. Stronger Gums & Healthy Teeth

 The malic acid that boosts saliva production, hence removing bacteria from the mouth. Additionally packed with vitamins and minerals that promote healthy teeth. 

 5. Bone Strengthening

 Certain flavonoid phlorizin, found in apple skin, may help prevent bone loss during menopause. 

 6. Beneficial for Diabetic patients 

 The fructose and antioxidant polyphenols in apples improve the metabolic balance thus the lagging rate at which sugar is absorbed in the body making it especially effective for Diabetic patients. 

 7. Relieves from Constipation and Diarrhoea

 The high concentration of pectin fiber not only aids digestion but also causes to regulate smooth bowel movements. 

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  One may recall days from his childhood when people mocked that eating the apple seeds may cause one to develop a tree in his stomach. Funny right?! But scientifically it’s dreadful. This is because apple seeds are poisonous. Unaware of the fact, people don’t mind gulping down these pips down their esophagus. 

  These seeds contain a chemical compound called amygdalin, which can release cyanide, a powerful poison when it comes into contact with digestive enzymes. It’s unharmed if the whole seeds pass through the digestive system relatively untouched, but if one chews the seeds then it may cause to be exposed to the toxins. 

   Apples typically have about eight pips. One or two will not be harmful, as the body can handle small doses of cyanide. So one would have to eat seeds of 18 apples in one sitting to get a fatal dose.

   So don’t forget to grab a fruit every day if not an apple. This shall ensure introduction & a perfect regulation of all elements in the body. Since more or less every fruit has health benefits that can knowingly or unknowingly aid to fight against diseases. One can happily opt to have it in breakfast or post midday meal. And probably the best way to have it is to make a mixed fruit salad as this shall ensure all benefits to clog in the body.

Staying single forever by choice

A relatively large number of people in Western societies are single; that is, they are not involved in any romantic relationship. That actually couldn’t be further from the truth, however. There’s so much value in being single that people often overlook, when we should be embracing and appreciating it instead. When you’re not legally bound to another person, you have the freedom to learn, grow, and explore, without any of the guilt associated with taking time for selfcare. And the payoff there is that if you do decide you’d like to pair off with someone, you know exactly who you are and what you want.

More specifically, men were more likely than women to indicate that they were single in order to be free to flirt around, and because they were not into family making; while women were more likely to indicate that they were single in order to avoid getting hurt, and because they have considered themselves not to be desirable as mates. Older people were more likely to indicate that they were single in order to be free to do what they have wanted. 

I think it is the right of the individual whether men or women to be in a relationship or to do marriage.The society do not have a right on this take .Everyone makes their own opinions that now a days women gets freedom and misuse this by making these types of decisions .But why everyone women do according to this society want them to do,it’s her choice .As it is famously said that “ALL FINGERS ARE NOT SAME”,so why we think every girl wants to marry in future ,it’s her choice and priority what to do in future.The society thinks its not safe for a women to live single in the society as anyone can take advantage of this status of her.

Maybe, counterintuitively, women are the ones who are especially likely to want to live alone. In our cultural imaginations, men are supposed to be the rugged individualists, the solo explorers, and the swaggering cowboys. But maybe, in fact, they are the ones pining for a live-in partner.

In a heartwarming essay from the upcoming book, Single by Choice, sports journalist Sharda Ugra recounts a scene from more than 10 years ago. A male friend, upon walking into her Delhi apartment (where she lived alone), asked astonished, “Who did all this?”“What provoked this question perhaps, was its sheer normalcy,” Ugra writes. And possibly the assumption that unmarried women lead dark, forlorn, depressing lives. But the writer goes on to remind us that singlehood is, in fact, a normal experience.

Contribution of NGOs towards the society

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) play an important role in the economic development of developing countries. They provide services to society through welfare works for community development, assistance in national disasters, sustainable system development, and popular movements. They take numerable for actions developing our society. NGOs take up and execute projects to promote welfare of the community they work with. They work to address various concerns and issues prevailing within the society. NGOs are not-for-profit bodies which means they do not have any commercial interest. NGOs are run on donations made by individuals, corporate and institutions. They engage in fundraising activities to raise money for carrying out the work they do. Ever since independence, NGOs have played a crucial role in helping the needy in India, providing aid to the distressed and elevating the socio-economic status of millions in the country.

NGOs which have revolutionised Healthcare in India:

1.CRY: Child Rights and You

CRY works towards several causes for children, one of them being malnutrition. It introduced kitchen gardens in anganwadis in Chhattisgarh to provide fresh and healthy food to children. This not only came as a boon to the underprivileged children but also accelerated the anganwadi workers in the same direction. This noble initiative of CRY has helped to see a decrease in the number of malnourished children by about 9-10%.

2.Smile Foundation

Inspired by the philosophy of Peter Senge, the founder of ‘Society for Organisational Learning’, a group of young corporate professionals founded this in 2002. They began working from scratch to bring about a difference in the lives of underprivileged families and communities. Since urban slum dwellers lack the education to be aware of diseases and healthcare, they do not approach hospitals for checkups out of risking a day’s wages. Smile has a two-fold approach to tackle this problem. They first bring quality healthcare services within easy access of the needy. The second step is to promote healthcare awareness and encourage the poor to seek help.

3. Goonj

Goonj has several campaigns, one of them being ‘Share a Bite to your Heart’s Delight.’ It is a venture to encourage people to contribute daily essentials like rice, pulses and so on to the less fortunate. This is an innovative step towards solving the problem of food shortage and thus nutrition among the poor. Goonj has also taken considerable effort towards detaching the stigma associated with menstruation. It has helped college girls speak more boldly and openly about the issue and also involved many Rajasthani women in their menstrual hygiene initiative.

4. HelpAge India

A leading charity working for the disadvantaged elderly of India, has been active for over four decades. It has one of the largest mobile healthcare programs across India, providing free healthcare services to destitute elders. HelpAge India also works towards providing palliative care to end-stage cancer patients. Pairing with several credible and competent hospitals, the organisation helps the poor elderly who cannot afford expensive medication for cancer. HelpAge India has received several awards for his commendable contribution to society. It holds the Chairman’s Challenge Award, Times Social Impact Award and NGO Leadership & Excellence Award among several others.

Why do scars never Fade?

Our body is strong. But everything has a stage, where it just can’t. This is when bruises and scars form. When our body tries to heal itself.But how exactly does our body heal itself….?

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/Hans-2/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=474279″>Hans Braxmeier</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=474279″>Pixabay</a&gt;

  •  The Healing process

 Now, your skin consists of some hardened cells which are called keratinocytes. These are the cells which shed constantly. In fact it is said that throughout your life, you shed about 18 kgs of skin cells! Now, imagine that you’ve gotten  a wound. Let’s say it was pretty deep. What’s the first thing you notice? Well, bleeding of course. The first stage through which your body recognises that you’ve been hurt is hemostasis. Hemostasis is our body’ s response from losing blood and the epidermis being compromised.Your blood vessels start to shrink themselves from further bleeding. This process is also known as vasoconstriction. The fibrin starts to make the cross link patterns,  also making the germs  not enter  the inside of the body .Hemostasis basically  means stopping the flow  of blood. The second step is inflammation. Now the wound may redden, swell up or hurt. This can vary from  person to another, maybe due to the difference in genetics of the cells. During this process, WBCs come towards the wound, killing the germs or pathogens which may have entered while the wound was still open. It also eats up the damaged tissue. This  process has a name. It is called Phagocytosis. As the WBCs travel through the bloodstream to reach the site of injury,the the ,the shrunken blood vessels, now expand a bit. After some point of time, the proliferative stage- where the fibroblasts come into the scene. These fibroblasts are the one which produce collagen. Collagen is a protein which is a primary tissue. These usually form a certain kind of  pattern. But, immediate cure is needed when you are wounded. They are deposited as soon as possible. They initially replace the work of the fibrin. Slowly, but steadily,the epidermis layer closes. The hardened RBCs get peeled off in due course of time. It is believed that  the skin is never fully recovered. In some minor cases, the scar eventually fades and works normally, but when the wound is severe, meaning the wound makes  contact with the dermis(the second layer of the skin) then , maybe it leaves a dark line or a pale mark. In the most severe cases, for example, the major burn cases, the skin never quite recovers. Sure it retains its sensory 

properties ,but the skin no longer remains the same. 

This is why you must have noticed, wherever there is a scar, there grows no hair. 

  • Types Of Scars

There is a differentiation between scars as well. Basically, there are 4 types of scars.Let’s see them!

  1. Keloids-  When you get a wound, and the scar formed is bigger than your actual injury, then that scar would be termed as keloid scar. These are usually due something called the ‘overproduction of cells’, according to a site. These are usually treated with surgeries, laser treatments etc. This scar is more common with the darker skin tones.
  2. Hypertrophic scars- When you get an injury ,and the affected skin rises above or swells, this red scar is named as ‘Hypertrophic scars. 
  3. Contracture scars- These type  scars occur after a burn. They include tightening of skin and sometimes, the scars may even go into the nerves or muscles.
  4. Acne scars- Many acnes leaves scar. These scars can sometimes be quite deep, but not usually.
  • Difference Between bruise and scar

When you hit something, one says that it will leave a bruise. The bruise turns purple due to lack of oxygen. A bruise is never permanent and eventually fades away. Bruises are more common than scars.

When one experiences severe wounds, usually tending to bleed excessively, this usually leads to a scar. Scars may or may not be permanent. A deep injury may gradually heal but rarely fades away and is usually permanent.

Scientists  fully do not know how exactly our body heals itself. Various researchers are working hard to break the code on how and what processes does our body use to heal itself. In fact we don’t even know how a deer is able to completely heal itself from the most severe scars completely whereas a human being is not. The mysteries are endless. We haven’t even cracked ⅓ of the nature’s  pecicular happening , but do not worry, the day will come soon!

Many people think that scars are not pleasurable. But let me tell, there are people out there suffering with diseases which include the body losing its property to heal and regenerate itself. Even a small bleeding does not stop. Scars define how strong your body is to heal it so efficiently. Never be ashamed of your scars. Because they are a part of you. And you never neglect a part of you. Be proud that you survived that injury. A scar speaks for itself. Even if the scar was due to some silly mistake. None of us are Harry Potter to have a deep reason behind a scar and that scar will always be pretty( though one can dream right?).

Friendship Is The Most Wonderful Relationship In Our Life

Friendship is the most wonderful relationship that anyone can have. Ideally a friend is a person who offers love and respect and will never leave or betray us. Friends can tell harsh truths when they must be told. There are four different types of friends: True friends, Convenient friends, Special interest friends, and historical friends. To have friendship is to have comfort. In times of crisis and depression, a friend is there to calm us and to help lift up our spirits. There are many illustrations that show why a friend can be a great comforter. For example, if a student is going through a hard time at school, a friend can offer guidance, encouragement and support.

A true friend is also someone who loves and respects us. A boyfriend and a girlfriend desire to be with each other. They love each other so much that they just want to be with each other as much as possible. This bond is also present in a good friendship because it has genuine love. Also, as friends they respect each other. They try to avoid causing conflicts. They don’t make fun of each other, but treat each other with respect. As friends, we all make sacrifices for each other. Some friends risk their lives for a friend.

A person is acquainted with many persons in their life. However, the closest ones become our friends. You may have a large friend circle in school or college, but you know you can only count on one or two people with whom you share true friendship.There are essentially two types of friends, one is good friends the other are true friends or best friends. They’re the ones with whom we have a special bond of love and affection. In other words, having a true friend makes our lives easier and full of happiness.

Most importantly, true friendship stands for a relationship free of any judgments. In a true friendship, a person can be themselves completely without the fear of being judged. It makes you feel loved and accepted. This kind of freedom is what every human strives to have in their lives.In short, true friendship is what gives us reason to stay strong in life. Having a loving family and all is okay but you also need true friendship to be completely happy. Some people don’t even have families but they have friends who’re like their family only. Thus, we see having true friends means a lot to everyone.

Being in a relationship and having a boyfriend and girlfriend they key word in that is “friend” the key to a relationship is to be good friends first before rushing into anything. that also means you have genuine love for each other and you even respect each other more. One of the most important thing about having a friend is to never betray them. A friend is loyal through thick and thin, broke or rich, house or no house, smart or dumb. A lot of friendships now a days are not real friendships. People are friends with each other for even a certain period of time to get something out of them. A lot of people do not keep promises in a friendship anymore and it is sad. Loyalty and love makes a friendship a lot stronger.

Therefore, there is no doubt that best friends help us in our difficulties and bad times of life. They always try to save us in our dangers as well as offer timely advice. True friends are like the best assets of our life because they share our sorrow, sooth our pain and make us feel happy.

Online classes results in Eyesight and Ear problems

Most of the students are now undertaking online classes due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. This is indeed a cause of worry for many parents because children spend extra hours on mobile phones and laptops. Experts also speak of the hazardous effects that digital classes can have on eyes of young children. Parents must take precautions and measures to ensure safety of the child’s eyes.

Needless to say, excessive usage of mobile phones, laptops or any other gadgets can affect children in many ways. This can be mental and physical. Eye strain is one amongst the most common problems. Some of its symptoms include excessive blinking, tearing, frequent rubbing of the eyes, dry eyes, headaches from eye strain and even tiredness. Parents must be extremely watchful and careful on how the child spends time online.Most of the classes, especially for children above class 8, goes on for long hours. Parents must cut short their time spent on video games, TV and other gadgets. Only a strict no works with most children!

During the last two weeks, a few school children in the age group of 8-10 came to my clinic with complaints of dryness in their eyes and frequent blinking of eyes. Prolonged reading on the mobile screen and watching it from close range may result in this type of problems,” says G. Hanumantha Rao, an ophthalmologist, who runs his clinic on MVP Double Road. He suggests that a laptop or a desktop with a large screen should be preferred. It also ensures that proper viewing distance is maintained, at least to some extent.

“Prolonged use of earphones can result in noise-induced deafness. It can also cause tinnitus and the child may experience ringing sounds in the ear. Severe exposure may cause inability to hear certain frequencies. The problems depend on the duration and intensity of the sound,” says B. Ramachandra Rao, an ENT surgeon at the Government ENT Hospital in the city.

Earphones and Headphones….are harmful?

In our lives, we use earphones/headphones at many occasion.For ex. An virtual meeting, music, while talking to someone etc. But do we know the detrimental effects of this careless habit. Not really…. But awareness can make one more alert and watchful .So let’s  understand, what makes the earphones so harmful!

  • How is it harmful ?

If you visualise, just think about an object, which is rarely cleaned or disinfected. What is likely to happen? Well, obviously it will start to grow microbe if it is in contact with what the microbe needs to breed. Now, we don’t know if the microbe growing is a pathogen or not. There may be a chance that they are harmless but the possibility is so less, that it can be counted as non-existent. Similarly, earphones/headphones are in contact with our body for most of the time. If it is in contact with our body, surely micro organisms are prone to grow. Eventually leading to uncomfortable problems like rashes, ear pains etc. Micro organisms are no creatures to play with. What makes it even more harmful is, we don’t even know what type of microbe it is. We can’t even assume because there are so many pathogens that could be residing  in your ear itself. And we have a really bad habit of sharing earphones. Even if it’s your loved ones,diseases do not see that. By sharing earphones, You’re practically transmitting the disease yourself and that would not be good.

Photo by Burst

Earphones/headphones, if used for long durations of time may result in induced or permanent hearing loss. Now the problem is, the  microphone has a direct contact to your ear. Your ear is a very sensitive part of your body and it’s a vital organ. It consists of 3 parts, namely – 1. The outer ear 2. The middle ear 3. The inner ear.  You might have noticed  some hairs in your ears. It is called the cochlea.  It is present in the part of the inner ear. Now, cochlea is a very important structure. Basically, the cochlea sends  signals from the outside environment to the brain  by vibrating, due to which we hear and make sense of what we hear. Sort of connects the outer world to our brain in the medium of sound. Prolonged duration of using earphones (when I am writing only earphones, do note to add headphones as well!) makes the cochlea to vibrate exorbitantly and the cochlea can seriously lose the sensitivity to vibrations. Unlike other parts of your body, your ear doesn’t have the ability to regenerate itself. Which makes curing it even harder.  Listening, with high volume makes the condition worse. Your ears don’t have a choice but to respond to that noise, even if it makes the cochlea die and never recover. This is why one often experiences ear pains after prolonged periods of using earphones.

 Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

  • What is More harmful?

Alright, the usage of earphones and headphones is harmful. But which is more harmful?… earphones are. In the case of headphones, you still have some space between your device and your ear,but in earphones or an earpiece,which makes a direct contact by being plugged inside your ears,has a greater Impact. Probably intensifies the sound by 6 to 7 decibels ( a unit through which the intensity of sound is measured). It cannot be said that headphones don’t have any ham, though. As headphones have a greater area, the amount of microbe breeding also, could be greater..

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

  • Result

Okay, it is harmful to use  earphones carelessly. But…what possible problems can even occur by this? Nothing serious……right? According to ColumbiaAsia Hospitals, there is a probability that following problems can happen-

  1. NHL- Noise induced hearing (NHL) is when one experiences a temporary loss of hearing, due to  extended time periods of using earphones.
  2. Tinnitus- When the cochlea(hair cells) is damaged, one can experience some buzzing or ringing noise in their ears. This condition is called Tinnitus.
  3.  Hyperacusis- A condition where one tends to be sensitive to the noise produced by the environment.
  4. Dizziness- Increase of pressure in the ear canal leads to dizziness.

These are a few of them. Ears are counted in one of the sensory organs. With that being said, the ears are extremely sensitive. An ear is not made of bones but  cartilage. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to twist your ears as you please. Cartilage can be described as a gel-like  substance acting like a connective tissue.

Photo by Christina Morillo 

Take a while to remember to clean the outer ears properly and regularly. Ear wax (cerumen) is present in your skin to moisturize the dry skin. So not try to deliberately remove it, especially using a  cotton swab. It only makes the earwax to go nearer towards the inner ear.

Avoid extended periods of using earphones/headphones. One can use the trick to not use the volume beyond 60 decibels. And let the time period to use an earphone be 60 minutes. Prefer using the speaker rather than microphone(let the others be annoyed😉). And regularly sanitize or disinfect the earphones and headphones. Yes, it will be a pain. But it ‘ll  be worth it!

And do not worry. There is always a cure if the right moderation a are used. If you experience any of the above symptoms for a constant period of time. Immediate consultancy to the doctor is advisable.

References

https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52503-Headphones-when-hearing-danger-is-closer-than-you-think

https://www.columbiaindiahospitals.com/health-articles/harmful-effects-listening-music-earphones-headphones

5 Ways to Listen to Music Without Damaging Your Ears

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/earbuds.html

Road Safety

We all live in a world where we take our lives for granted, we always forget safety measures and put ourselves in constant risk especially while driving. Driving safely and using appropriate measures not only saves our lives but also of the ones around us. Everyday we can see new cases being reported of accidents been caused due to carelessness. These happen due to our own little mistakes, if we take proper precautions we can always be safe from these kind of accidents. Wearing safety belts and helmets whenever we go out always ensures us of our safety while driving.

It is advisable to not mix drinking and driving together. Using phones while driving leads to a lot of accidents these days. Drunken drivers had often ended up bringing  trouble to other passengers too. Many accidents have been reported across the countries where drunken dries has run over homeless people especially during night time .

Road safety is an important part of our lifestyle. We take issues like this so lightly that we forget its gravity and how it can affect us. Driving rashly can cost us our lives. There is no point in regretting after things have happened, we always have to be careful and fully aware of our surroundings while driving and on road.

It is high time that we take issues like road safety very seriously. Government of India has taken up various policies for the safety of its citizens but what’s more disturbing is that people do not follow it. People have gained ignorance and have not so caring attitudes towards road safety. Often we see people paying fine for overspeed or not wearing a helmet or seatbelt.

Listed below are a few basic road safety rules that applies to everyone.

  • As per the Indian law, you should have minimum 18 years of age to avail a driving license.
  • While driving, you should not use mobile phones  as it can cause serious road accidents
  • Drinking and driving is not allowed as it seems to be a deadly combination for you
  • You need to wear seat belt while driving a four wheeler
  • Helmets are necessary when you use two wheelers for travelling.
  • Make sure that you keep left on the road, when you use cycles for travelling.

Recently road safety has gained enough amount of attention among people, especially the youth. They have taken up initiatives to rise the issue in various platforms. Many organisations have been build by students across the country to spread awareness on the need for road safety.

Hoping to see people taking issues like road safety more into perspective so as to see a budding nation of responsible adults. As a citizen of India it is very important for us to follow the rules and regulations made for us. It is in the best interest of the citizens of the nation these laws are made. Traffic signs provide valuable information to drivers and other road users. They represent rules that are in place to keep you safe, and help to communicate messages to drivers and pedestrians that can maintain order and reduce accidents. Neglecting them can be dangerous.

Ways to stay optimistic


Do you often find yourself giving in to negativities and put yourself in a bad mood? Well, if this is so then you don’t have to let bad news or negativities ruin your day. Every new day has something positive to offer, but some days you might have to look for it a little harder. Here are four things you can apply in your daily life to attract positivity and happiness into your life.
1) Practice gratitude-  Write in a gratitude journal everyday, right after you wake up from your sleep. Being thankful for the things you already have or have achieved so far, helps you stay motivated the entire day. Studies have shown gratitude to be linked with positive emotions and overall well-being over time. Starting your day with positive thoughts would thus help you stay focused only on the positive aspects of your life.
2) Listen to Music- whenever you find yourself in a bad mood because of certain negativities clouding your mind, then just tune into some music that gives out happy vibes. Researches have shown that listening to happy music instantly put you in a happy mood, as music activates the region of your brain that produces the feel good hormone, dopamine. Therefore you start feeling good and happy after a while.
3) Follow your passion- to cast of all the negative thoughts, try doing the things you are most passionate about or try to do something that would add meaning to your life. You can become a volunteer if you want to. Volunteer for a cause you believe in or sign in for a class to learn something new. This would give you a new sense of meaning and fulfillment in life.
4) Practice meditation- Try to inculcate the habit of practicing meditation into your daily routine. A few minutes of meditation would help you clear your mind, boost your mood by decreasing stress and you would feel much better. This would ultimately help you stay calm  and focused in your life.
So, readers, don’t let negativities cloud your thinking and suck your optimism. You have a choice to decide how to respond to any situation. So, next time if  you find yourself being bogged down by all the negativities around you then just try to incorporate the above mentioned tips into your life and see the difference for yourself!

It’s Alzheimer’s Month

Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases affecting memory, other cognitive abilities, and behavior that interfere significantly with someone’s ability to maintain their activities of daily living. These functions include memory, language skills, visual perception, problem-solving, self-management, and the ability to focus and pay attention. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living. Although age is the most known risk factor for dementia, it is not a normal part of aging.

Fifty million people worldwide currently live with dementia, a condition that causes significant psychological burden as well as social and financial distress to those living with it, their carers, and families. There are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Two in three people with dementia live in low- and middle-income countries.

There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, resulting in stigmatization and barriers to diagnosis and care. The impact of dementia on carers, family, and society at large can be physical, psychological, social, and economical.

There are many different forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Other major forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (abnormal aggregates of protein that develop inside nerve cells), and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain). The boundaries between different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.

There is no treatment currently available to cure dementia or to alter its progressive course. Numerous new treatments are being investigated in various stages of clinical trials. The principal goals for dementia care are:

1.Early diagnosis to promote early and optimal management

The early stage of dementia is often overlooked, because the onset is gradual. Common symptoms include: forgetfulness, losing track of the time and becoming lost in familiar places.

2.Optimizing physical health, cognition, activity and well-being

As dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become clearer and more restricting. These include:

  • becoming forgetful of recent events and people’s names
  • becoming lost at home
  • having increasing difficulty with communication
  • needing help with personal care
  • experiencing behaviour changes, including wandering and repeated questioning.

3.Identifying and treating accompanying physical illness

The late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious. Symptoms include:

  • becoming unaware of the time and place
  • having difficulty recognizing relatives and friends
  • having an increasing need for assisted self-care
  • having difficulty walking
  • experiencing behaviour changes that may escalate and include aggression.

4.Detecting and treating challenging behavioural and psychological symptoms

The following are used to temporarily improve dementia symptoms.

  • Cholinesterase inhibitors. These medications — including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne) — work by boosting levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment.
  • Side effects can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other possible side effects include slowed heart rate, fainting and sleep disturbances.
  • Memantine. Memantine (Namenda) works by regulating the activity of glutamate, another chemical messenger involved in brain functions, such as learning and memory. In some cases, memantine is prescribed with a cholinesterase inhibitor.
  • A common side effect of memantine is dizziness.
  • Other medications. Your doctor might prescribe medications to treat other symptoms or conditions, such as depression, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, parkinsonism or agitation.

Several dementia symptoms and behavior problems might be treated initially using non drug approaches, such as:

  • Occupational therapy. An occupational therapist can show you how to make your home safer and teach coping behaviors. The purpose is to prevent accidents, such as falls; manage behavior; and prepare you for the dementia progression.
  • Modifying the environment. Reducing clutter and noise can make it easier for someone with dementia to focus and function. You might need to hide objects that can threaten safety, such as knives and car keys. Monitoring systems can alert you if the person with dementia wanders.
  • Simplifying tasks. Break tasks into easier steps and focus on success, not failure. Structure and routine also help reduce confusion in people with dementia.

5.Providing information and long-term support to carers.

Dementia symptoms and behavior problems will progress over time. Caregivers might try the following suggestions:

· Enhance communication

· Encourage exercise

· Engage in activity

· Establish a nighttime ritual

· Keep a calendar

· Plan for the future

· Learn as much as you can about memory loss and dementia.

World Alzheimer’s Month is the international campaign to raise awareness about dementia. September 2020 will mark the 9th World Alzheimer’s Month.

Hygiene & Sanitation

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   According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases.” Health & hygiene are both mutually dependent factors. Thus negligence in maintaining even basic levels of hygiene can cause a person to suffer from serious health hazards & even surrounding people. Being social creatures, it is up to them to maintain high levels of cleanliness. And it is not a matter of choice, but a serious responsibility one must abide.
    Children are made to inculcate basic hygienic behaviours right from their childhood. Hygienic routines can be introduced into kids’ lives and reinforced continuously. This causes them to register this in their brains & eventually becomes a part of their lifestyle. Also, parents have to be role models so that the kids follow them & learn. As children are said to be shadows of their parents.
    Hygiene can be classified into 2 categories: personal and environmental hygiene. Also, this also helps one attain some good peace of mind. Sanitation deals with public health conditions related to clean drinking water and adequate treatment and disposal of human excreta and sewage.
   Personal hygiene is defined as ” The practices that keep our bodies and our immediate environment clean.” This enables one to thrive well & disease-free. While environment hygiene is defined as “practical control measures used to improve the basic environmental conditions affecting human health.” The citizens are mostly ignorant about environmental sanitation as they consider they pay taxes thus it’s not their responsibility. But in recent years the government has taken some commendable steps to regulate the garbage disposal & etc as we all are aware of.
    The benefits of having a clean environment ensure a healthy environment around us & the stability of the ecosystem. It’s the due responsibility of every person to keep mother earth clean & preserve it for future generations. As otherwise, it would be unfair to inherit a world so polluted thus making them exposable to a variety of health risks. By preserving the environment, we are also preserving wildlife and marine animals. The terrestrial & aquatic animals are the most affected as their habitats are also polluted.
  Whoever coined this quote “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” was on point. Hygiene mandatorily should be part and parcel of everybody’s lives. Negligence of personal hygiene can cause one to develop scabies, pubic/head/body lice, rashes & ringworm’s disease.
   Especially after this pandemic hit, practices like the usage of masks, sanitizers, social distancing are the new normals introduced in the people’s lifestyle. This surely helps one understand the significance of hygiene & sanitation. 

Achieving a balanced life


One’s life is said to be balanced when you find time for doing the things you have to do as well as finding time for the things you like to do the most. Balancing your life depends upon how well you manage your time. A balanced life would give you a sense of fulfillment, bringing in peace, joy and harmony to your life.
Some of the suggestions to help you find balance in life are as follows-
1) Productive mornings- to start your day with positivity and motivation, grab a piece of paper, write down three things you want to get done everyday. No more,no less! After you have accomplished those three things, give yourself permission to consider your day successful and that anything else you do is a bonus! Taking an hour every morning to write down your daily goals would set your day right and would help you stay motivated the entire day. This is the best way to kick start your day!
2) Practice meditation- inculcating the habit of practising meditation in the morning, into your daily routine would help in clearing your mind, boosting you to stay productive and focused on your work. Meditation also helps achieving peace. An early morning meditation is thus a great way to start your day with positive energy.
3) Letting go- recognise that there’s nothing wrong in letting go of people who show no concern for you. Break your ties from every negative person alive in your life. If you can’t completely break ties with them then at least do yourself a favour by not frequently being in touch with them. Avoid toxic people as much as possible, to focus on the right things in life. Stay close to those who help you grow as a person in life.
4) Self-care- Make self-care a part of your routine. It shouldn’t be something you do on a special occasion. You should show yourself and the world that you care about yourself everyday! Moreover, remember to accept yourself as who you are while knowing that you deserve better,can actually help you eradicate energy- sucking people and situations out of your life like no other!
5) Find time for yourself- don’t forget to live your life while always being on work. Take a break when needed. Go out  for a walk in nature. Spend time with yourself. Keep your phone aside and do the activities you have always loved doing.  So, better set clear boundaries from when you want to zone out. Your life isn’t dedicated to giving your devices  attention every time their screens light up.
   Finding balance in life is thus all about keeping your heart and mind happy.Being at peace with yourself is what matters the most. So go ahead and try to put your life together by achieving the much needed  balance in your life!

Mental Health is not a taboo

Mental Health needs a great deal of attention. It’s the final taboo and it needs to be faced and dealt with -Adam Ant

Mental Health is important for all of us just as Physical Health. How we feel and think is central to the way we live our lives. Just like our physical health, our mental health can have ups and downs. It is not only about psychological illness or mental disorders this is just one part of a bigger frame. It’s good to think about mental health as being on a continuum rather than people being either mentally ill or mentally well. People with mental health conditions deserve just as much support and compassion as people with physical health conditions. We are all on the continuance and we move up and down according to factors such as our genetic makeup and upbringing our life circumstances and the stresses we are under but one end of the perpetuity we develops mental disorders like anxiety, depression and at the other end, we have state of constructive mental health when we are thriving the contempt and fulfilled the aim of mental health interventions is to move people up the continuum so that they are able to reach the full potential and live satisfying lives. The World Health Organization mentioned mental health as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal processes of existence, can work efficiently and usefully and can make a contribution to his or her society. Being psychologically well means being strong and able to cope with difficult situations. Very few people with mental disorders access existing treatment services due to the prevailing stigma attached to seeking help, lack of understanding mental health problems, the uncertainty of how to get help or fear of disclosing mental health problems. 

There is lack of awareness for Mental issues:

• Suicide was decriminalised only in 2017, but section 309 of IPC still exists.

• This section penalises attempted suicide, unless the person can prove severe stress

• Stigma and taboo are still widely attached to mental health illnesses.

From all these factors, stigma remains the biggest factor preventing people from seeking help early for their mental health problems and getting the appropriate support they need. Stigma and discrimination prevent people with mental health problems from getting housing, jobs, and education as well as prevent people from seeking needed help. Myth is that the people with mental illness are violent and dangerous. The truth is that, as a group mentally ill people are no more violent than any other group. In fact, they are far more likely to be the victims of violence than to be violent themselves. Mental health is necessary to handle the natural ups and downs of life and to develop positive and sustainable coping mechanisms. It is important to acknowledge that we all have mental health and have a personal responsibility to learn how we can improve our well being in order to live meaningful and satisfying lives.

Benefits of shedding tears


The act of crying is often seen as one’s weakness, when we grow up and are no more a kid. If you are a crybaby then you are often labelled as a weakling. However, to your surprise, let me inform you that the involuntary act of crying is actually good for your intellect, body, and soul in many ways. So, instead of bottling up your tears just let it flow, otherwise you would be doing more harm to yourself than any good. Some of the benefits of crying are-
1)You dispose of toxins- you don’t always cry simply out of sadness, however crying is additionally your body’s response to deal with excessive stress. It acts as a stress buster, as when you cry, out of stress, your physique eliminates the stress hormone Cortisol, because of which you sense elated and feel much better. Moreover, chronic increase of this hormone may lead to various other diseases like sleeplessness, diminished immune response and weight gain. So, a good cry when you are stressed is the best way to deal with your conflicted mind and body.
2) Eliminates bacteria- Shedding tears help cast off micro organism from your eyes. This is due to the quality of the hormone lysozyme present in your tears. The hormone no longer solely wash bacteria away from your eyes but it additionally kills 90% of the bacteria on it’s path, hence it helps killing different toxins lurking on your skin.
3) Improves vision– crying helps clearing your eyes thus, hydrating it’s membranes and ultimately revitalizing your eyes’ normal functions.
4) Emotional cleansing- letting out your emotions is a good way to face your emotional storms. I am pretty sure that each one of us at certain point in our lives have discovered reasons to cry our heart out. Life is all about struggles, and most of the time we frequently find ourselves in the most vulnerable circumstances, and it is during this period that we need an emotional cleansing, that is letting our tears flow and get back stronger than before. Crying, therefore acts as an outlet, through which we can get back to our normal selves after holding back our tears for long amount of time in order to keep our face.
5) Lifts your mood- I am sure everybody has experienced this. Once you are done with your tears, you feel much lighter and your mood lifts up, after a while. This happens mostly, because you are done detoxifying both your body and your soul, by releasing your suppressed emotions in the form of tears.
Well readers, I am sure you have realized by now that crying is a sign of one’s strength and not weakness. So, next time if  you feel bogged down by your emotions don’t hesitate to let your tears flow. This is a much healthier way to keep you rooted in the present, clear your mind and let you gain back your lost strength!

MENTAL HEALTH SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

So whenever we feel like oh! I need to maintain my physical fitness, get a new fit look. The first solution that comes into our mind is, I should hit the gym, but have we ever thought about how to maintain our mental health? Mostly the answer will be no. What’s the big deal about it and many people presume that the person is just overthinking. Practically speaking often if we’ll tell our Indian parents that we are depressed they’ll just ask us to stay away from electronic devices which is partly true and then they will just ignore it. Looking after mental wellness can preserve a person’s ability to enjoy life. Although the word mental health is generally used, many conditions that specialists acknowledge as psychological troubles have physical reasons. Conditions such as depression, stress, substance abuse, anxiety, are certain forms of mental illness.

According to WHO “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Certain factors that cause mental distress are weak social or economic status, occupation, education, gender, etc. that later turn into much more serious issues. Another instance is having a gene with ties to a mental health disorder, such as depression or schizophrenia, which does not guarantee that a condition will develop. As mental and physical health is interlinked these mental health issues can affect life-changing physical health problems, such as diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, etc.

Different types of mental disorders are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) which normally occurs to a person who experiences or witnesses a deeply stressful or traumatic event. They are under constant fear that their life is in danger. Mood Disorders such as Major Depression in which a person deals with a constant low mood and loses interest in activities and events that they previously enjoyed. They can feel the increased duration of sorrow or intense grief and Bipolar Disorder person experiences extreme variations in their mood, force levels, levels of activity, and capacity to proceed with daily life.  Schizophrenia in which the person may also find it hard to process information, withdrawal, delusions, hallucinations, absence of motivation, etc. Panic disorders in which an individual experiences frequent panic seizures, which involve overwhelming terror or a feeling of looming tragedy and death. Anxiety disorder in which an individual is excessively worried or in constant fear and symptoms of anxiety are restlessness, exhaustion, stiff muscle, interrupted sleep, etc.

In today’s era where people are busy with their packed schedules and don’t have time for themselves. Pollution and radiation from electronics are added reason which causes mental agony. Visiting a Psychologist is necessary and there is nothing to be ashamed of it. A person coping with mental health challenges will have to make changes to their lifestyle. Such changes might include no alcohol intake, relaxing more, and having a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Taking some time away from things or matter that is making a person feel low. Practicing relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga. Having a support network, either through self-help groups or close friends and parents, can also be vital to the cure of mental illness.