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Finally, we did it. Yes, Team Goqii Alpha completed 100KM in 28 hrs

kamal-start

We were attempting something unimaginable for the first time in our lives –a 100 km trail walk….

When I had decided to take part in the Oxfam Trail walker, I was aware that this is not going to be easy. But, when we were starting our trail walk, there was no doubt in our mind about the completion of 100KM. We were targeting the time of 30 Hrs but, as it turned out that due to some technical mismatch we could not start at scheduled 6.00 AM (and we were tensed/nervous/helpless). We could start our walk only at 6.24.42 AM (to be precise). By this time most of the teams had taken off and would have covered 1.5 to 2 KM ….but we were not perturbed and continued our journey.

kamal-on the trail

By the end of checkpoint 2 (23 KM), our bodies had started giving early warning of stress and blisters and we were also lacking in pace. 55 teams had already left when we checked in at Checkpoint 2. We used the excellent services of physiotherapist there and continued at a faster pace in scorching heat but the walk only got eased due to the amazing picturesque landscape. The view of the Mulshi lake was therapeutic.

When we reached CP 4 we had completed (43.8 KM) and when we decided to leave from here we found that 45 teams were already ahead of us. The walk from CP 4 was pleasant as the scorching sun had hit the sack and near full moon was in sight. Cool winds blew across our ears and with a slight nip in the air, our pace automatically increased. It was almost meditative to do the brisk walk in dark. We were walking fast but, silently.

We walked through the night as was decided earlier. When we left CP7 (75 KM) at around 4.20 AM our entire body was under tremendous pain and exhaustion largely due to lack of sleep. We were awake for more than 24 hrs by now ….but, we felt high and our determination to finish fast only grew stronger. By this time 22 Teams were ahead of us.

CP7 to CP8 was the best walk as we sang all along the trail, cracked jokes, pulled each other’s leg and passed 3-4 teams ahead of us. We reached CP8 (86.6 KM) by dawn.

We were in a very bad shape. My left knee was in tremendous pain but mind was determined to do better. We took the physio service, Umesh my teammate popped a combiflam (pain killer) and we left. By now we realized there were only 12 teams ahead of us. This fact got us charged up and we now wanted to be among the top 10 teams.

The idea of being in top 10 crossed our minds but we were still 7 KMs away when we reached CP9 (93.7km) only 11 teams were ahead of us. The gap had considerably reduced and we are now more determined to finish within the top 10 teams. Hence we skipped taking a break at CP 9 and just continue faster. At 96 KM, my teammate Naresh and me were limping but Balwant and Umesh -With renewed energy of combiflam were stronger. The gap between us was increasing.

I thought with this limping I will not be able to cover the gap so I started jogging and passed Balwant and Umesh. The idea was to move ahead and create a long gap and then rest for a while. Suddenly, I saw another team ahead. We as a team got together and decided that let’s attempt to cross them by running and try to be in top 10.

I could not believe myself and my eyes that we had actually started running. Naresh began with his limping but soon picked up pace. So last 4 Km were fun, we not only crossed the team ahead but, also got the 9th place overall with a timing of 28hrs:11Min:9 sec. We danced to the tune of the Bhangra music playing at the finish line and danced our way to the podium to collect our medals and certificates.

This journey could not have been complete without the support of many people. First and Foremost…the biggest support is our family. No words of thanks can do a justice to this.

We were also lucky to get two amazing guys, marathon runners and experienced Oxfam trail walkers Vishal Mahajan and Suresh Sharma as our support crew. Their smile/high fives/motivating words at every intersection and checkpoint kept us going. Their knowledge of the trail helped us a lot. How much ever we say thanks to them it is still not enough words of thanks are enough for them.

Also to be able to do this we had practiced for close to over 2 months. Since we are runners we used to do 7 to 8 km run daily and 12 to 18 km run on weekends. We did 2 practice walks one of 40 km one of 29 km by walking over 10-20 km and more every week.

Thanks to GOQii for support and motivating us and arranging many small, small things… Special thanks to Krishna Kumar and Vishal Gondal and above all thanks to all our donors who contributed towards the cause that we were walking for and without the donors this walk could not have been possible. Last but not the least a big thank you to my GOQii coach Kruti for supporting me with all the right advice for me to be able to complete this 100 km trailwalk.

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Do You Really need an Antibiotic??

Pills

It’s December and with the slight nip in the air or with temperatures dropping come to all common illnesses like fever, cold, cough, sore throat, body ache etc. It’s a very common sight to find most people self-medicating with antibiotics. Every second person knows about it from the previous prescription or just by walking into the chemist’s store voicing their symptoms and getting their strip of antibiotics, like Azithromycin, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime, Cefixime etc. But, I really doubt if these people even know what antibiotics are and what they are used for!

Most of the people have this notion that it is a magic pill for common ailments like cold, cough, fever.  Also, most are of the belief that with one or two doses of these tabs, they will be immediately cured of their ailment.

Well yes, I would say it is a magic pill but only for BACTERIAL INFECTIONS! Not all cold , cough, fever are due to bacterial infections, many a times its of viral infections which are self-limiting and needs to be controlled with paracetamol, taking rest and antibiotics have no role in treating viral infections.

So what are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. When used properly, antibiotics save lives. They either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing. Your body’s natural defenses can usually take it from there.
Common viral infections that do not benefit from antibiotic treatment include:

  • Cold
  • Flu (influenza)
  • Most coughs
  • Most sore throats
  • Some ear infections
  • Some sinus infections
  • Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)

Frequent and irrational use of antibiotics can cause Antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic has lost its ability to effectively control or kill bacterial growth; in other words, the bacteria are “resistant” and continue to multiply in the presence of therapeutic levels of an antibiotic leading to treatment complications and increased healthcare costs.

In spite of growing awareness of antibiotic resistance in recent years, overuse still occurs for a number of reasons:

  • Doctors may prescribe antibiotics before receiving test results that identify the actual cause of infection.
  • People who want quick relief from symptoms, regardless of the cause of illness, may pressure doctors for antibiotic prescriptions.
  • People may take antibiotics over the counter or via the Internet for self-diagnosed illnesses.
  • People may take antibiotics that are leftover from a previous prescription.

Consequences of Antibiotic resistance

  • More-serious illness or disability
  • More deaths from previously treatable illnesses
  • Prolonged recovery
  • More-frequent or longer hospitalization
  • More doctor visits
  • More-expensive treatments

“Then what do we do to get better”, patients ask??

Antibiotic Stewardship is the answer for this problem which is basically the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Many hospitals and medical associations have implemented new diagnostic and treatment guidelines to ensure effective treatments for bacterial infections and reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics.

The public also plays a role in antibiotic stewardship. You can help reduce the development of antibiotic resistance by taking the following steps:

  • Use antibiotics only as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Take the correct daily dosage and complete the entire course of treatment.
  • If for some reason you have leftover antibiotics, kindly consult your Doctor before self-popping as they might not be the correct antibiotic.
  • Never take antibiotics prescribed for another person.
  • Don’t pressure your doctor to give you an antibiotic prescription. Ask your doctor for advice on how to treat symptoms and look into Lifestyle options for better prevention.
  • Practice good hygiene.

As for viral infections like common flu, we can fight it by building our immunity by modifying our lifestyle for the better. Eat right, exercise often, de-stress and make sure you sleep well to give your body the much needed rest.

So let’s bid adieu to 2016 on a healthy note and a pledge to Stop Antibiotic Resistance!

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10 health care tips for a shift worker

vegi-protein

Shift workers as we know them are people who work through the night. But, ideally, it is not so. Anyone who works outside a steady 9 to 5 schedule is considered a shift worker. Working in shifts has become more prevalent in the last few years thanks to the numerous BPOs that have started across the country. Anyone working in shift goes through serious psychological and physiological changes that give rise to health issues

Working in a shift can have a serious impact both in the short and long term. Short term symptoms are equivalent to symptoms faced by individuals who have had a long flight, or a late night at work these include Gastrointestinal symptoms like upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn, Increased risk of injuries and accidents, Insomnia, decreased the quality of life and general feeling of being unwell.

Long-term effects are much serious and these include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. A Japanese study found that shift workers — specifically, those who worked 16-hour shifts — had a 50% higher incidence of diabetes than those who work during the day for normal hours.Metabolic syndrome is a combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. These lead to diabetes, heart attacks, and stroke. Apart from these individuals working in shifts are prone to obesity, mood swings and depression and serious gastrointestinal problems. 

Here are 10 healthcare tips for individuals working in shifts:

  • Take an hour or so to relax after work, whether it is day or nighttime. Relaxing music or a warm bath will help.
  • Eat meals at the same time each day seven days a week. This schedule helps maintain the body’s clock.
  • Eat high protein foods (egg whites, peanut butter on crackers, roasted nuts etc) to keep you alert. If you simply must eat some sweets, which tend to make you sleepy, do so at the END of your shift.
  • Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages before bedtime. Although the sedative effect helps you fall asleep, it tends to wear off in 2 – 3 hours and causes disturbed sleep in the latter half of the night.
  • Avoid coffee, tea, colas, and other caffeine drinks, which interfere with sleep. During a coffee break, drink orange juice and walk around. Physical activity promotes wakefulness.
  • Avoid going to bed on an empty stomach. If you don’t feel like eating much, try a glass of milk or dairy products, which promote sleep.Keep the temperature in your bedroom cool, not cold.
  • Darken bedroom or wear comfortable eyeshades. Eyes are sensitive to light even when the lids are closed, preventing you from falling asleep or getting consolidated sleep.
  • Block out daytime noises, which can disturb deep restful sleep. Use comfortable sponge ear plugs or “white noise” electrical devices such as fans, air conditioners, or a quiet tape.
  • Exercise, at least, every other day AFTER sleep. Daytime sleepers should avoid early morning exercise, which can promote wakefulness during the day.
  • Beware of certain medication. Avoid prolonged use of sleeping pills and other sedatives, which interfere with normal sleep patterns. Beware of cold and allergy medications which have sleep-related side effects. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) has a stimulating effect and antihistamines (Dristan) can cause drowsiness.

Follow these tips and bring a permanent shift in your lifestyle. Get healthy and fit.

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Health Benefits of the Wonder Spice Cinnamon

Cinnamon sticks and powder on wooden table. Selective focus

Cinnamon, an aromatic spice, is obtained from the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the laurel family. This hot and sweet spice does not only add a special flavour to different cuisines but also helps in combating health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, stomach flu, cold, cough and tooth decay among others.

Let us have a detailed look at the benefits of Cinnamon.

Type 2 Diabetes: It has been proved time and again that cinnamon helps in controlling blood sugar levels and is thus beneficial for Type 2 diabetes patients. Researchers state that cinnamon bark contains potassium, manganese, chromium, copper, calcium, iron iodine, phosphorus, vitamins A, Bi, B2, C and zinc that help in preventing and curing diabetes.

As per a study published in the Journal of Diabetic Medicine, the blood sugar levels of the participants who had cinnamon supplements showed greater improvement as compared to those who had the standard diabetes medicine.

Stomach Flu: Stomach infection can give you sleepless nights. While pain killers may give instant relief however doctors advice against these as they may cause adverse side effects. Cinnamon, known for its strong anti-bacterial properties, is an effective way to cure this condition. The strong anti-bacterial properties of this wonder spice helps in destroying the Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli bacteria that cause stomach flu. Cinnamon also works faster as compared to other natural herbs.

Cancer: Cinnamon is also known to prevent cancer. Researchers claim that cinnamon extracts limit the growth of various kinds of cancer including melanoma cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer and lymphoma cancer. It is said that this super spice interferes with a protein that aids the tumors in establishing blood supply which is imperative for their growth.

Weight Loss: Regular consumption of cinnamon helps in thinning your blood and improving blood circulation. Proper circulation of blood in the body boosts your metabolism and thus helps you lose weight. However, studies show that coumarin, the ingredient that mainly helps in thinning the blood is found in large amount in cassia cinnamon and regular and high dose of this particular ingredient is not good for your liver.

Cold and Flu: One of the most common problems, especially during the changing season, cold and flu may also be prevented with the consumption of this aromatic spice. It is the anti-bacterial and warming properties of cinnamon that help in fighting against this ailment.

Besides these, cinnamon also helps in curing arthritis, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, Parkinson’s disease and boosts concentration power.

How to Have Cinnamon?

It is best to boil a few cinnamon sticks in water for some time and add some honey to it. You may even add ginger to it to make it more effective. Various brands sell cinnamon tea however it is better not to go for these as they have artificial flavourings and very little anti-bacterial properties.

It is also recommended to go for Ceylon cinnamon and not Cassia cinnamon which is readily available at the retail stores. This is because cassia cinnamon contains high levels of coumarin which may damage the liver.

 

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