Monsoon Archives

June 8, 2021 By Vaishali Vibhute 1 Comment

Useful Tips To Boost Immunity During Monsoon

We all welcome the monsoon every year to find relief from the scorching summer heat. Rains are beautiful and can quickly elevate your mood. Since monsoon weather is damp and humid, it is the perfect environment for microbes to grow and flourish. Thanks to this, people with low immunity are prone to suffer and fall sick frequently during this season. The weather can ruin your immune system and a good immune system is needed during the rainy season. There are a number of ways to build immunity and one of those ways is by eating healthy food! So, let’s look at some useful tips to boost immunity during monsoon!

Tips To Boost Immunity During Monsoon

Here’s how you can improve immunity during monsoon by eating the right kind of food to support your immune system.

Switch to herbal teas: Herbal teas such as Tulsi and ginger tea are your best friends to boost immunity during monsoon. Drinking tea will keep you warm and safe from cold and flu while boosting your immunity. Add a few drops of honey for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties instead of sugar.
Stay hydrated: Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, as due to colder climate, the water intake is considerably reduced, which is bad for the body. It is the best source to flush out toxins from your body and doesn’t have calories and sugar. Make sure water should be potable to keep waterborne diseases like Jaundice and Diarrhea at bay.
Have protein rich food: Protein, a major macronutrient, increases immunity, wound healing and muscle building. Food like dal, pulses, curd, eggs, chicken, paneer, soy, tofu are rich in protein.
Have a low salt diet: High blood pressure may weaken the immune system. So, it is always better to have a low salt diet as it prevents high blood pressure and water retention. Fruits like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber can also lead to water retention.
Prefer curd or yogurt over milk: Curd and yogurt are fermented food, rich in probiotics and the good bacteria present in it can help increase immunity and fight infection and can help your digestive system function well.
Include spices: Include more immunity boosting Indian spices in your food like turmeric, fenugreek, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, ginger and curry leaves. They help in digestion and flush out sinus from the body and improve Immunity. Warm water with honey, ginger and black pepper can be a miraculous cure to avoid cold, cough and flu.
Improve sunshine vitamin level: Vitamin D or the sunshine vitamin, is an essential micronutrient which can help boost your immune system. It can modulate the innate and adaptive immune response. A deficiency of vitamin D can make you more prone to common infections. Improve your vitamin D levels by exposing yourself to morning sunshine and consuming egg, cheese, mushroom and fortified cereals.
Eat healthy fats: Include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to your diet. These healthy fats boost your body’s immune response to pathogens as well. These fats are anti-inflammatory and good for your heart too. Nuts, seeds, fish, soy milk, almonds, avocados, walnuts, sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds are prime examples of healthy fats.
Eat fruits: Fruits help to build immunity, give energy and are loaded with nutrients such as Vitamin A, C and fiber. Apple Guava, Banana, Orange, Amla, Papaya, Pomegranate etc. are the best additions to your diet. Vitamin C helps in iron absorption too.
Incorporate vegetables: All vegetables, including green leafy vegetables like cabbage and spinach are good sources of immunity boosting Vitamins A, C and E as well as folate, antioxidants and fiber.
Limit simple sugar: Most people are aware that eating sugar has negative consequences on their health, leading to things like obesity and diabetes. However, most of them are unaware that it has an effect on the immune system as well. It lowers the ability of white blood cells to fight and destroy bacteria.
Avoid outside food: Given the current pandemic circumstances, it is better to steer clear of eating out. Foods like sandwiches, pani puris, samosas, etc. may seem tempting during monsoons but they may contain bacteria that might cause indigestion. Avoid pre-cut or raw foods/fruits as they could contain germs which may lead to food poisoning and lower your immunity.

Apart from the above food tips, you also require adequate, good quality sleep. Keeping your mind stress-free also helps. Don’t forget to exercise regularly as it boosts your immune system by regenerating your immune cells. Since venturing outside is not an option, you can explore some amazing indoor workouts by experts that suit your needs on GOQii Play.

Underactive and poor immunity can make the body more prone to a host of gastrointestinal problems and monsoon related ailments. Under the current circumstances as well, keeping your immunity level high could be the only way to cherish good health while enjoying the rains.

We hope you use these tips and build your immunity during monsoon! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! For more tips on staying healthy during the monsoon, check out Healthy Reads. To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

#BeTheForce

July 17, 2019 By Trishala Chopra 5 Comments

Tips to protect yourself from allergic conjunctivitis this monsoon

I guess I am late! Rains are already here and we can’t just ignore getting drenched in heavy rains. But, getting drenched in the rains might not be a good thing for your body. Monsoon not only brings with it rains but it brings along with it an army of infections. Viral infections are the most common ones. They are at its peak during monsoon season because of the sudden increase in the moisture levels in the climate. Among all infection, eyes are the worst affected part of the human body.

You might have suffered from itchy eyes which turns red the moment you rub it? Do not ignore it as it could be conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis in literal terms means inflammation of conjunctiva (thin protective membrane of the eyes) Conjunctivitis is of two types: – acute allergic conjunctivitis and chronic acute conjunctivitis. Acute allergic conjunctivitis includes the seasonal allergy which turns up during monsoons. Conjunctivitis spreads through direct contact. Hand to eye touch can cause conjunctivitis, as this disease is highly contagious. It can last for minimum 3 days up to 7 days.

Redness always doesn’t mean conjunctivitis, there are various other reasons that can cause redness or itchy eyes. It might be dust or too much strain on the eyes or insomnia which might cause redness of the eyes. Do not confuse yourself between these reasons and conjunctivitis. It is always advisable that if you face redness, itchiness, watery eyes, swelling, difficulty in blinking, dry eyes for more than 2 days then visit your ophthalmologists as soon as possible. It might be allergic conjunctivitis or some other disease, it is always better to get it checked from the expert.

Here are few tips to protect yourself from conjunctivitis this monsoon!

Maintaining personal hygiene is most important precaution which one needs to take.
Avoid touching your eyes without washing your hands properly.
Wash your eyes with cold water whenever you come from outside.
If you feel that there is slightest pain in your eyes or you have been in contact with the person who has conjunctivitis, give your eyes cold compressions immediately after you come home. It is always better if you visit a doctor before the diseases aggravate.
If someone at home is down with conjunctivitis make sure that whenever you are putting drops in their eyes or giving them cold water compressions, you wash your hands thoroughly before and after you get in contact with the person.
Put 2 drops of rose water every time before you go to bed.
If you wear contact lenses, avoid using them during monsoons as the chances of infection is higher with lenses.
Do not share cosmetics. Risk of infection doubles when you share them.
Avoid swimming, visiting water parks during monsoon, not only conjunctivitis, body gets prone to other diseases too!
Avoid touching public taps, handles and if you get in contact with them, always keep a sanitizer and use them frequently.
Wear glasses to keep your eyes protected.
Avoid self-medication. You do not know about the action of drugs.
Never use steroid eye drops. Always consult your doctor.
If in case doctor is not available, choose antibiotic drops over steroid eye drops.

Conjunctivitis is not a one-time disease, chances of getting conjunctivitis is endless. So as it is rightly said, Prevention is better than cure!

December 13, 2018 By Dr Darshana Salve 7 Comments

Nail matters!

Every second person is eagerly waiting for rains so that we get relief from this scorching heat. But, as we welcome monsoon, it brings along with it hub of infections too. Monsoons play a perfect breeding ground for all vector- borne, viruses, fungus and parasites.

Humidity in air and excessive sweating tends to favor fungus to grow and multiply at a rapid rate. Fungus needs moisture and warmth, and monsoon provides it a conducive atmosphere to thrive and multiply.

Types of fungal infection:

Tinea Cruris / Ringworm
Candidiasis
Fungal Infection of Nails (Onychomycosis)
Tinea Alba (Pityriasis Alba)
Tinea Versicolor (Pityriasis Versicolor)
Pityriiasis Rosea

Out of the above list, fungal infection of nails aka Onychomycosisis the most neglected one.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails that causes discoloration, thickening, and separation from the nail bed with/without foul smell. Onychomycosis occurs in 10% of the general population, 20% of persons older than 60 years. It is caused by a variety of organisms, but most cases are caused by dermatophytes. The risk of onychomycosis is 1.9 to 2.8 times higher in persons with diabetes compared with the general population. Onychomycosis affects toenails more often than fingernails because of their slower growth, reduced blood supply, and frequent confinement in dark, moist environments (eg- shoes).

Treatment:

Antifungals medicines are widely used for the treatment of onychomycosis. Treatment of Onychomycosis is widely believed to be only a cosmetic problem, but it can be uncomfortable and can lead to cellulitis (bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin) in older adults and foot ulcers in patients with diabetes. Eradication of the infection is a key to improving appearance and avoiding these complications, but it is not easily accomplished because nails are made of keratin, which is nonvascular and impermeable to many agents. Because of poor drug delivery to nails, results of treatment may not be apparent for a year.

Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant, possessing fungicidal and anti-bacterial properties that make it popular in treating toenail fungus. 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil + 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Apply this mixture with the help of the cotton ball to the affected nail 2 times daily or add 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in enough water to soak your feet for 15-20 minutes.

Rub Coconut oil onto the area and let it absorb and dry naturally. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Wear gloves or wash your hands between applications (if you have more than one affected nail.

Topical Mentholated ointment (Vicks Vaporub) is also used to treat onychomycosis. Apply it regularly to the affected nail at night.

But all said and done, Prevention is better than cure!

The best way to avoid fungal infections is to maintain a high level of hygiene.

Always keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed. Cut them straight and file down the thickened areas. Also make sure that they are dry and clean. After having bath, dry the toenails and even the area between the toes.
Avoid putting your hands or feet in water constantly.
Watch out for your manicures and pedicures. If the manicure or pedicure is done in a wrong way or with using contaminated instruments then you are at risk for developing onychomycosis.
Too much nail polish and or wearing artificial nails tends to trap moisture, which will allow the fungi to thrive.
Do not tear the skin around the nails or trim it. The slightest injury or cut allows the fungi to enter the nail.
Wear clean dry cotton socks, which will absorb the moisture and keep your feet dry. It is a good habit to remove your shoes occasionally especially after exercising.

7) Always wash your legs with soap and water after coming from out especially during the rainy season where we tend to step into dirty puddles.

Happy Feet = Happy Monsoon…..Enjoy!

July 25, 2014 By Neha Morche 6 Comments

7 preventive measures to avoid Diarrhea during Monsoons

Come Monsoons and our happiness see no bounds. There are lots of activities that one can indulge in during the monsoons such as walking in the rain, running, cycling and trekking. All of these activities give us extreme happiness. Monsoons also entice you and increase your cravings for some street food such as bhajiya, vada pav, bhel, pani puri, chat and the likes. Few days back, I went for a trek in the Shaydari ranges of Maharashtra. After the trek I gorged on some tasty piping hot Bhajias and Vada Pav. The next day however, I got diarrhea and suffered for the next few days. It was all thanks to the bhajias and the vada pav.
During monsoons, food and water are the two main things that get contaminated easily. This eventually leads to water borne diseases as monsoons is the time for germs and bacteria to breed in large numbers. We need to be extra careful for ourselves and for our children as well.

Preventive measures to be taken during Monsoons

1. Drink boiled water.

2. Wash your hands before you eat.

3. Avoid outside food and go for homemade hygenic food.

4. If you are eating in a restaurant avoid leafy vegetables. One is not sure if it’s cleaned properly or not ?

5. Eat well cleaned and washed vegetables.. Avoid left over food

6. Do not eat fish as it is breeding time and there are chances that you might get a stomach upset or an infection.

7. Do take shower if you get wet to protect from bacteria.

As our body is susceptible to infections taking precaution is good …however if you

do get diarrhea. Here are few things you must follow

1. Boil water and drink throughout day as diarrhea dehydrates body.

2. Do not have solid food. Have clear liquid diet initially.

3. In case of less severe diarrhea cooked rice, curd can be included which can be incorporated gradually after liquid diet.

4. Drink lots of warm herbal teas, especially with antibacterial properties such as basil leaves, ginger, pepper and honey.

5. Digestion process is slow during monsoon because of the humidity in atmosphere so eat moderately only when you are hungry.

6. Include antioxident rich food (green tea,fresh fruits,nuts ) to fight against infection.

To sum it up

Be healthy to enjoy the monsoon thoroughly ..

Tips to protect yourself from allergic conjunctivitis this monsoon

Nail matters!

7 preventive measures to avoid Diarrhea during Monsoons

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