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May 15, 2024 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Optimizing Skin Hydration: Effective Strategies for Managing Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) conjures up images of dry, itchy, and rough patches plaguing the skin. The instinctive response to ease the situation is often moisturization, and rightfully so, as maintaining hydration is fundamental in managing AD.

However, tackling AD’s persistent dryness typically requires more than a standard over-the-counter moisturizer. Dermatologists often recommend a medicated, rich, and occlusive moisturizer loaded with skin-barrier fortifying ingredients. For those living with AD, a one-time daily application simply won’t suffice; diligent and repeated moisturization throughout the day is essential for preventing dryness and improving moisture retention.

But is there more to skin hydration than just moisturizers? Indeed, a few straightforward lifestyle adjustments can make a significant difference. Shorter, lukewarm baths, the use of gentle, fragrance-free cleansers, and immediate post-shower skin moisturization while the skin is still damp can have long-term benefits for the skin’s natural barrier, keeping it supple and preventing dryness.

As for activities like swimming, which involve extended water exposure, it’s advisable to apply an occlusive substance, such as petroleum jelly, on dry patches to shield the skin from chlorine’s harsh effects. Nevertheless, consulting a dermatologist is crucial before undertaking such activities, as they can best assess one’s specific skin needs.

A common query arises about the role of internal hydration – does drinking ample water naturally moisturize the skin? Contrary to popular belief, internal hydration doesn’t directly translate to skin moisturization. However, staying well-hydrated is indispensable for overall bodily functions like digestion and excretion, which in turn support skin health by helping to eliminate toxins.

Investing in simple lifestyle changes pays dividends for skin health, offering an invaluable benefit for managing Atopic Dermatitis without a hefty price tag. For further information or guidance, reach out to your GOQii Skin Coach.

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References – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/

Rajagopalan M, De A, Godse K, Krupa Shankar DS, Zawar V, Sharma N, Mukherjee S, Sarda A, Dhar S. Guidelines on Management of Atopic Dermatitis in India: An Evidence-Based Review and an Expert Consensus. Indian J Dermatol. 2019 May-Jun;64(3):166-181. doi: 10.4103/ijd.IJD_683_18. PMID: 31148854; PMCID: PMC6537677.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9954916/

May 15, 2024 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Understanding and Managing Atopic Dermatitis Triggers

Do relentless red, itchy, and parched patches frequently mar your skin, perhaps across your face or hidden in the bends of your body? Are allergies your constant, unwelcome companions, manifesting as persistent runny noses, morning sneezes, or reactions to certain foods? Or maybe you find yourself combatting the tell-tale wheeze of asthma? If these experiences resonate with you, it’s time to uncover the layers of Atopic Dermatitis (AD).

Atopic Dermatitis, a specific form of eczema, commonly makes its debut in childhood and can persist well into adult years in some cases. This condition is visually marked by red, inflamed, and dry and itchy eczematous lesions on the face & body. The origins of AD are complex, rooted in a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental elements, and it behaves in a cycle of exacerbations and calm.

This condition is best described as chronic and relapsing, which means that there may be periods of flareups (disease aggravation) and remissions (disease free period). Early diagnosis & therapeutic intervention play a crucial role in disease remission.

Understanding and identifying what ignites AD is critical. Triggers vary widely—some dwell within the body like a compromised skin barrier, while others lurk in our surroundings, such as dietary allergens or the sun’s harsh rays, climatic changes, physical exertion and sweating. These triggers can be very specific and subjective and recognising these culprits is pivotal. Thus, keeping a detailed skin diary can be instrumental in mastering an individual’s condition. It will really aid in disease control and management. These triggers if not monitored, lead to a FLARE.

A flare-up, or ‘flare’, signifies a severe intensification of symptoms that disrupts life and demands immediate medical attention. In such phases, the skin’s plight worsens: redness ravages, and itchiness intensifies, often leading to infected, weeping wounds.

This event often hampers the individual’s quality of life. Thus, trigger management and flare prevention are two very important parts in treating AD. But there’s a beacon of hope. Through meticulous trigger management and prevention strategies, flare-ups can be mitigated or reduced. Simple adjustments to one’s lifestyle and dietary habits can pave the way to managing this irksome condition.

With the collaborative efforts of a dermatologist, a dietician or nutritionist, and a physician, the goal is not just to treat but to transform lives. The objective is clear – enhance the quality of life through prolonged remission, navigating each individual towards a smoother journey with Atopic Dermatitis.

We hope this article helps you. For further information or guidance, reach out to your GOQii Skin Coach.

#BeTheForce

Reference – Girolomoni G, Busà VM. Flare management in atopic dermatitis: from definition to treatment. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2022 Jan 13;13:20406223211066728. doi: 10.1177/20406223211066728. PMID: 35070252; PMCID: PMC8771745.

Kolb L, Ferrer-Bruker SJ. Atopic Dermatitis. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Availabatopic-dermatitis-triggers-managementle from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448071

May 2, 2024 By GOQii Leave a Comment

10 Habits Which Are Destroying Your Health

Habits play an important role in our lives. From the time we wake up, till we hit the pillow at night, most of the things that we do during the day are wrapped up in some form of habits. Of these habits, some are towards keeping ourselves healthy and there are some habits which might be unnoticeable, but yet very harmful for us. Let’s take a look at the 10 habits that are destroying your health!

10 Habits That Are Destroying Your Health

Having fruits along with meals: We do get a good dose of carbohydrates in our regular meals and by adding extra carbohydrates, it will exceed the limit and lead to over intake of carbohydrates. It’s best to eat fruits half an hour before a meal or as mid meals.
Not having our meals on time: We should always have our meals on time. Once you do that, it helps us set up our body clock according to that specific meal time so that digestion and nutrient absorption happens at the same time every day and it won’t go off track.
Skipping breakfast or any other meals: Skipping our meals, especially breakfast, is not a good idea. It may lead to muscle loss, fatigue and irritation, among other health issues, as there might not be any energy and glucose to keep us going during a hectic day.
Having a heavy dinner: The calories and carbs which we have during dinner will not be utilized at night. So when we sleep, all of it is turned into fat and stored in the body. Always keep your dinner light.
Less water intake: may lead to dehydration and that can directly affect our immunity, which in turn can be the cause for many diseases. At least 2 to 3 liters of water in a day is must!
Keeping a long gap between your meals: Keeping long gaps between meals leads to overeating our next meal. It will also slow down our BMR so that we eat more and that is the cause for weight gain.
Chewing your food fast: We should always take at least 20 minutes to complete a meal. Chewing fast will not help in absorption and breakdown of the nutrients in the food that we eat.
Having processed foods: Processed foods which contain sugar, white flour or corn flour, may risk us with water retention in our body and will also increase our salt intake because of the preservatives.
Confusing thirst with hunger: Sometimes when we feel thirsty we may confuse it with hunger and start eating an untimely meal, so it’s best to first feel, recognize and keep yourself hydrated so that we don’t feel hungry because of less water intake.
Overeating: can easily go unnoticed and this can cause problems like weight gain and obesity. This is often regarded as an eating disorder. If you are a binge eater, it’s time to make some changes. Maintaining portion control is the best way to eat mindfully.

So sit back and check if these habits are a part of your lifestyle and change them for the best! If you have difficulty breaking a habit or need that extra dose of motivation, reach out to an expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

April 13, 2024 By GOQii 1 Comment

Fitness for women over 40

Turning 40 is the new 20s. But, remember your body is not what it used to be in its 20s. At 40 and over, women’s bodies go through several challenges. The older you grow the more the challenges. Which is even more reason to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need through a healthy diet.

Now, despite all the exercise and fitness regime and being careful with your diet, you find that your waistline is expanding and don’t know what to do. Let me tell there is no magic formula, but certainly, I can say there is hope.

Did you know? When a woman is her 30s, the body’s metabolism (the rate that helps you burn calories) begins to slow down. In turn, means that she turns 40, she needs about 6 per cent fewer calories than when she was younger. This leaves little less room for that extra piece of pie those oily and carbohydrates filled French fries.

Most women fret over the fact that they are unable to maintain their beauty and body after their first pregnancy. This is because most turn to be careless towards their health, diet and medication. During pregnancy women generally face problems like the weakness of bones because of the deficiency of calcium, lower back pain due to lack of strength of lower back muscles same applies for knee pain as well.

Well, it’s not too late… You can be in your 40s and still be fit and feel good about yourself. Good food choices and exercise in your 40s and 50s can have a significant effect on your health and quality of life in your 60s, 70s and 80s. It’s never too late to start.

In my neighbourhood, I had a woman who was in her early 40s and she was detected with diabetes and blood pressure. Further due to weak knees she wasn’t able to do any kind of physical workout and that led her to become very lethargic and inactive. She knew I was in the fitness industry and a personal trainer and so approached me for some tips on how she can be fit at her age.

Her is what I suggested to her …

Exercise – When you are over 40 and if you haven’t been fitness training then lifting any kind of weights or doing cardio in the gym might become strenuous … so here’s a solution …

* Walking – is better than any exercise… it helps to maintain and build your lost muscles as we age and also increases metabolism in the body. WALKING & EXERCISE also helps us to keep our heart more healthy and prevent illness.

*Yoga – Yoga is good for adults of all ages. Studies have shown that yoga can be extremely helpful when it comes to combating stress, fatigue and pain. Some yoga poses increase core strength and balance, which reduces the risk of fall-related injuries. Other poses can alleviate senior women-related health issues such as menopause. Above all, yoga is a form of exercise that can help senior women feel better and younger. Here are some of the yoga asanas which can help

(1) Pranayama: Yoga Sutra cites Pranayama as a means to accomplishing higher status of awareness. The holding of breath is an important practice of reaching ultimate salvation or Samadhi. “Prana” is Breath or vital energy in the body. On subtle levels, prana represents the pranic energy responsible for life or life force, and “ayama” means control. Pranayama means the holding up of the process of exhaling and inhaling.

(2) Surya Namaskara: Surya Namaskara has its origins in Hindu worship of the solar deity. It is a completely safe set of yoga poses that will not cause strain or injury. Surya Namaskar provides all of the key health benefits of yoga in a very concise package. This holistic exercise provides not only physical health benefits but also mental or emotional as well as spiritual benefits. The apparent gain of Surya Namaskar is the workout it provides for the muscles, but it also benefits joints, ligaments and the skeletal system by improving posture, flexibility and balance.

(3) Yoga Mudra: Yoga mudra in an entwined contemplative posture and cures constipation; exercises the intestines and has beneficial effects for asthmatics. It is a perfect asana for women who want to hang on to their beauty and youthfulness. It activates and exercises the lungs, cures loss of appetite, ulcer, indigestion and constipation. It also makes spine, waist, veins and muscles flexible, cures diabetes and reduces obesity

Spice it up: As you grow older, your taste buds decrease, causing many people to eat more bitter and sweet foods. Adding, natural herbs and spices to meals can keep the food healthy and appealing without adding more fat, salt and/or sugar.

Fruits and veggies: Eat two cups of fruit like oranges, apple and watermelon and 2 ½ cups of vegetables with variety each day. One serving can be a cup of frozen or fresh fruit or half a cup of dried fruit. If you have difficulty chewing raw fruits and vegetables, consider adding soups, vegetable juice, tomato sauce, stir fry or a cup of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Stay hydrated: Ageing diminishes thirst perception. Drink fluids throughout the day. Water is probably the best calorie-free beverage and best for a flawless skin, but don’t go for soda’s and those carbohydrate drinks can be harmful to your blood sugar level.

Women in their 40s and above should never feel old but, feel good about themselves. You can feel energized and fit by doing these simple exercises. You follow this regime you will achieve your goal. All you need some willpower and dedication to follow a routine.

As you embrace the journey of aging, remember that wellness knows no age limit. With dedication to exercise, yoga, and a balanced diet, women over 40 can thrive in both body and spirit. Take charge of your health today and unlock the vitality that lies within you.

We hope this article helps you! For more articles on Women’s Health, check out Healthy Reads or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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