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October 20, 2018 By Trupti Hingad 14 Comments

Foods to cure Sinus infection!

Do you often get pain in the forehead or between your eyes? Do you feel your head is about to explode……..

Is there always a feeling of face swelling, nose stuffy and congestion? Do you feel pain in upper teeth? Then this is nothing but an indication of having SINUS.

Let us understand what is Sinus and then learn about its precautions and cure?

Sinus points are basically air spaces in your skull lined with mucous membranes. Most people have four sets of nasal sinuses.

Two in the forehead above the eyes

2. One inside each cheekbone

3. A group of them, called the Ethmoid sinuses, behind the bridge of the nose

4. Another group behind the nose and underneath the brain called the sphenoid sinuses

These sinus points are like fingerprints

So, If there is an infection in these points …it leads to a condition called –SINUSITIS.

It’s inflammation of the sinus cavity due to a virus, bacteria or fungus. Tiny, hair-like structures called cilia move mucus across sinus membranes and towards an exit. All of your sinus cavities connect to your nose to allow a free exchange of air and mucus. Infections or allergies make sinus tissues inflamed, red, and swollen.

But, nature is flooded with remedies for all conditions and here are certain foods which help to cure the sinusitis.

1. SPICY FOODS: Hot spices like pepper, chillis(capsicum), jalapenos, relieve sinus congestion as they help release the mucus that causes a stuffed nose. Spicy foods help to open the sinus cavity and promote the restoration of normal breathing.

2. GARLIC: Contains an enzyme allicin that destroys bacteria and viruses that cause sinusitis

3.Vitamin E found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils helps sinus congestion

4.Zinc found in lean meat, poultry, liquorice seafood helps to relieve sinus congestion.

5.Warm herbal teas like Peppermint, ginger, chia liquorice, and holy basil teas are some of the best for your sinuses and throat during a bout of sinusitis. Tea moistens mucus membrane, helping to clear sinus network

6.Chicken soup contains an amino acid called cysteine that causes a runny nose and clears out the nasal congestion.

7.Leafy green veggies, tomatoes, oranges and yellow fruits and veggies contain vitamin A that helps build healthy mucus membrane.

8.Grapefruits, oranges, lemon are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and thus help clear sinus congestion. Oxidation damage can contribute to chronic sinusitis. Antioxidants protect the mucus membranes from free radical damage.

9. Pineapple is rich in antioxidants which protect the delicate mucus membranes from damage. The enzymes in pineapple — bromelain also break down the junk that builds up in sinuses and reduces inflammation.

10. Coconut oil is very good at reducing inflammation and also in killing many bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Try oil pulling with a spoonful of coconut oil and you’ll notice your sinuses clear up too. Simply swish around a spoonful of it for five to ten minutes and spit it out.

11.Turmeric /Ginger Root: Turmeric root is wonderful, fragrant and contains natural anti-inflammatory curcumin. This spice is also an anti-oxidant. When combined with spicy ginger root and brewed for hot tea, this combination can help loosen mucus from clogged nasal passages, alleviate sinus pressure, and make you feel better all around. Ginger root also has the added bonus of calming an upset stomach – a frequent side-effect of excessive night time sinus drainage.

12.Apple cider vinegar:. It acts as a boon for sinus infections. Firstly, it is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory that can kill the destructive microorganisms that cause the infection. Secondly, it helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level, which helps to break up mucus and discourage the proliferation of condition.

13.Steam Inhalation: Break up thick mucus with a few drops of Eucalyptus or Peppermint oil in hot water. With your face, down over the water, drape a towel over the back of your head and inhale the steam

14. Salt water Rinse: If you are prone to sinus infections and you don’t have a Neti pot, get one. This handy little device makes it easy to irrigate your nasal cavity, clearing out unwanted mucus and any inhaled contaminants that may be caught in there. Use the pot twice a day for optimum relief.

WORST FOODS FOR SINUS CONGESTION:

Caffeine weakens your adrenal glands and causes sinus congestion
Fried foods/Processed foods containing additives are best avoided during a sinus infection
Foods with high sugar content especially ice cream worsen sinus infection
Refined carbs like bread, pasta, and rice do not help during sinus congestion.
Fermented foods like cheese worsen sinus.
Starchy heavy foods like noodles are no for people with a sinus problem.
Milk is known to worsen a sinus congestion as it thickens mucus and promote microbial growth.
Foods high in saturated fats like egg yolk, meat are to be avoided during a sinus infection.

Keep your sinus clean and relax, breathe refresh and Stay healthy!!

October 4, 2018 By Dr Manali Rao 1 Comment

The 3 S of Breast Cancer: Signs, Symptoms and Self Examination

CANCER!!! The very word is feared and dreaded by everyone around the globe. Most people suffering this illness feel it’s a death sentence that cannot be reversed. But, seriously it is not the end of the road. There are ways to overcome this illness.

But, before trying to understand how to overcome, it is important to understand what Cancer is? Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth which may or may not spread to other parts of the body. All forms are not cancerous as it is only the malignant ones that spread to various parts of the body and not the benign ones.

One of the most common invasive cancers prevailing around the world today is ‘BREAST CANCER’. More commonly seen in developed countries but, the outcome generally is better-developed countries than in developing countries.

Who would you say is at Risk for development of breast cancer?

More often seen in Females compared to males (yes males can also develop breast cancer although the occurrence is rare).
-Obesity
-Lack of exercise
-Sedentary lifestyle
-Hormone replacement therapy
-Early menarche
-Late pregnancy
-Nulliparous women
-Family history
-Alcohol consumption
-Smoking

Let me now take you through the 3S of Breast Cancer- Signs Symptoms and Self Examination

Look out for these Signs and Symptoms:

-Almost every time the first symptom noticed is a lump in the breast that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue.
-Dimpling or puckering of the nipple.
-Change in position or shape of the nipple may become inverted.
-Orangish discolouration of the skin around the breast or the skin appears like orange peel, called peau de orange.
-Discharge from the nipple.
-Size of one breast may vary from the other.
-Constant pain in the breast area or armpits.
-Swelling in the armpits or around the collarbone.
-Redness / itching / discoloration / increased sensitivity / burning

Please beware that you might not have any symptoms till very late which brings about the need for regular check-ups.

How to self-examine?

The best way to be aware of breast cancer is by self-detection.

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Look out for:
– Their size, shape, and colour.
– Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin
– A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
– Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you’re standing in front of the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step4.

Indian Breast Cancer Support Groups:

Support groups play a very important role in helping a patient fight cancer, as also give an opportunity to learn from others about the same. By seeing others who have faced the same disease, it gives the patient strength to face and fight her own battle. The most important thing for these patients is hope. If they have hope, they have everything.

September 21, 2018 By Dr Manali Rao Leave a Comment

Fading Memory : Know ALZHEIMER’s DISEASE

Allie and Noah, the all-time romantic couple from the fairytale romantic novel, ‘The Notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks, adapted into a motion picture come to my mind as I wonder how to start this blog. It reminds me of a beautiful scene from the movie, an old man now, Noah, reading out a story to Allie, while she listens to the story totally amazed and completely unaware that the story is, in fact, hers. As the story comes to an end we see how it all starts coming back to her. That it was her Noah narrating their story as he had promised before her disease set in. The disease was Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurologic disorder which results in memory loss, personality changes, global cognitive dysfunction and functional impairments. It is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. The disease begins at a slower rate initially; it captures the brain and slowly overcomes human thoughts, activities, and language as well. People start having trouble in remembering things and the one evident sign is forgetting names of people.

CAUSES:

Exact etiology is unknown, but few risk factors can be marked out:

Age: incidence and prevalence increases after the age of 60
Family History: first-degree relatives at greater risk
Genetic: ApoEepsilon 4 gene
Lack of Sleep
Regular and high consumption of Junk food

CLINICAL FEATURES:

Progressive memory loss and decline of higher mental functions.

Example: problem-solving small issues, confusion in time, date and month, the problem faced in doing family activities of daily routine, misplacing things, poor judgment and problem in speaking and writing as well.

Difficulty in naming and understanding what others are speaking.
Apraxia – inability to carry out skilled motor activities, inability to recognize objects/places/people.
Behavioral changes: agitation, aggression, wandering and persecutory delusions, loss of insight, depression.
Loss of inhibition leading to inappropriate social behavior.
In advanced stages a person may be mute, inactive and can succumb to different infections.
Inability to recognize color and visual picture.
In case there is an underlying cause additional clinical features may be present.

MANAGEMENT:

Mainly supportive – physical, mental and moral support from family members and caregivers.
Antioxidants (Vitamin E) can slow the decline of cognitive function.
Drugs like anticholinesterase inhibitors (like donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine), memantine, N-methyl-D aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist.
Ginkgo biloba, a plant extract has been shown to be useful.
Treatment of the underlying cause, if any.

ALZHEIMER’s and AYURVEDA:

According to the principles of Ayurveda, Alzheimer’s is caused as a result of the imbalance in vata – this imbalance is quite common as a person begins to grow in age. It affects the vata – in the tissues of the central nervous system of the body – mainly the brain which then slowly becomes imbalanced.

Treatment begins with a vata balancing diet. Withaniasomnifera (Ashwagandha) in the powdered form along with either ghee or milk is included in the patient’s daily diet. This helps charge and soothe the vata. Herbs such as Brahmi and Ashwagandha that serve as nerve tonics are mainly used.

An oil massage daily, prior to a bath is also considered significant in this form of treatment. Ayurveda specialized preparations for Alzheimer’s treatment that are made from rice have proved highly beneficial to the patients besides providing the required nutrients to the old age person.

TURMERIC and ALZHEIMER’s:

Turmeric orHaldi as it’s known in Hindi is a part of almost every Indian recipe. It is known all over the world for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-spasmodic, anti-allergic properties and hence is used in medicines, cosmetics etc.

Curcumin that is found in turmeric has radical scavenging properties thereby preventing damage that can be caused by the cells of our body by free radicals. Alzheimer’s alleviation could be based upon the ability of curcumin to combat the development of amyloid plaque (accumulation of protein) in the brain leading to inflammation and impairment of cells.

PREVENTION:

There’s no real guarantee when it comes to preventing Alzheimer’s, but the only way to minimize your chances is by living a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Make sure you don’t stop learning new things. Continuous learning like a musical instrument, a new language or any subject that you didn’t have knowledge about keeps the memory intact.
Forget your phone and start memorizing important numbers like bank accounts, mobile numbers, life insurance/investment policy numbers, credit and debit card numbers, passwords and recalling them when needed is an easy way of jogging your memory.
Make sure you get your hands on challenging puzzles like Sudoku, different crosswords
Consumption of antioxidants via diet/supplements is helpful in preserving memory function.

September 17, 2018 By Sweta Karia Leave a Comment

All you need to know about DENGUE

How often do you come across people suffering from Dengue? I came across a lot many cases around recently so I thought to pen down a little piece of Information that can help you prevent and recover from Dengue.

Most of us are unaware of what Dengue is except for the fact that it is associated with fever.

The name Dengue originated from the Swahili word for “bone-breaking fever” or the word for “the walk of a Dandie” in Spanish. Dengue virus belongs to family Flaviviridae, having four serotypes that are transmitted by mosquitoes of Aedesaegypti species.

In recent years, the spread of unplanned urbanization, with associated substandard housing, overcrowding and deterioration in water, sewage and waste management systems, has created ideal conditions for increased transmission of the dengue virus in tropical urban centers.

As estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) approximately 50 to 100 million infections of Dengue to be seen each year worldwide.

Symptoms of Dengue fever:

It causes a wide spectrum of illness from mild asymptomatic illness to severe fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome.

Symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after infection and last for up to 10 days, may include sudden high fever, severe headaches, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, mild bleeding ( such as bleeding nose, gums), blood pressure drops down as the circulation of blood in the vessels is also affected.

A decrease in the platelet count is also observed after 3 days of the starting of the fever.

In the case of having severe infection, viral reproduction rate gets increased and the vital organs like bone marrow and liver are affected.

As the old adage goes “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE”!!

Let’s take a glance to the preventive measures:

1) Stay away from heavily populated residential areas, if possible.

2) Use mosquito repellents, vaporizing mats, mosquito coils.

3) Wear appropriate clothing: Minimize areas of exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks.

4) Use bed nets during sleeping and tuck them properly under the mattress.

5) Make sure window and door screens are secure and free of holes.

6) Eliminating or avoiding stagnant, standing water where the mosquitoes can reproduce are some of the effective strategies to prevent it.

7) Maintain proper Hygiene and Sanitation.

Treatment:

This viral disease being self-limited, adequate hydration and pain control can help the person through the infection.

Also in severe variations patients often require hospitalizations and intensive care measures.

However, most of the Doctors prefer home remedies for Dengue fever.

Home remedies for Dengue:

As such there is no prescribed diet for Dengue, but one can follow the mentioned home remedies for quick recovery along with the alleviation of the symptoms.

1) Water: This is of utmost important as extreme dehydration is very prominent in Dengue. Water can heal symptoms like headache, muscle cramps and furthermore help to eliminate toxins from the body.

2) Papaya leaf juice or Papaya leaf extract: They have an ability to increase the platelets in bone marrow. Here is the way to use them: Wash the leaves, take out the center vein and crush leaves in a grinder with adding little bit of water and consume every 6 hours daily.

3) Neem leaves: Steeping the leaves and drinking its brew helps to increase the platelet and WBC count thereby improving the body’s immunity.

4) Carrot Juice: Taking 2-3 spoons of carrot juice having mixed with beetroot juice twice a day helps to boost up the count of platelet count very soon.

5) Omega 3 rich foods like walnuts, flaxseeds, fish boost your immune system.

6) Fresh Fruits and Veggies typically orange juice, amla juice, and grapefruit can promote the antibody production, release the toxins, stimulates cellular repair because of Vitamin C content.

7) Eating Garlic: Chewing two cloves of garlic or drinking hot garlic vegetable soup can decrease the multiplication of viruses.

8) Eating a well- balanced diet with majorly focusing on green leafy veggies can ward off the infection.

9) Also a simple solution to the monsoon Illness is to boost up our immunity by our popularly known

“DadjijikaKadha- Grandma’s home remedy concoction”. You can check out this link on how to prepare the concoction:

Decoction Syrup (Kadha) – Out of Grandma’s books

10) Most importantly REST. The more your rest, the better the production of platelets.

11) Since it is an Infection, have cooked vegetables instead of raw.

Foods to be avoided:

First and foremost, stay away from unhealthy food like refined sugars, junk food and processed food. Having these foods can cause drop in platelet count.

Secondly, try to avoid the food which is oily, spicy and salty. I know it may spoil the taste of your mouth, but lime juice plays the trick here.

Thirdly, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided to prevent dehydration.

Lastly, avoid meat as it is difficult to digest.

So let’s prevent ourselves from Dengue before we catch hold of it!

Foods to cure Sinus infection!

The 3 S of Breast Cancer: Signs, Symptoms and Self Examination

Fading Memory : Know ALZHEIMER’s DISEASE

All you need to know about DENGUE

Symptoms of Dengue fever:

Treatment:

Home remedies for Dengue:

Foods to be avoided:

Age no Bar, if you’re determined to achieve your goals

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