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Heal Naturally From Monsoon Illnesses

heal naturally With the monsoons here in full swing, most of us worry about getting sick with an infection. With the weather change, the virals in the air also start reacting. The side effects of cold, fever, viral and sore throat get rampant with drastic changes in weather. A strong immune system will help you recover quickly and mostly without the need for medication. The lower your immunity, the longer the healing process and you may have to resort to antibiotics.

Natural Remedies That Work

  1. Take a 1-inch piece ginger mashed, 1 clove garlic, 3 peppercorns, 2 cloves, 2 cardamoms and a cinnamon stick. Boil in water and reduce to half, strain and add organic honey. Drink this concoction twice or thrice a day, or actually, as much as you need to.
  2. Be aware of your body and feelings. Usually, when sick, your appetite may reduce, and that’s a good sign. It means your body is using energy to repair and heal. So if you can, don’t eat until you feel your appetite slowly increasing. This is one of the best ways to heal rapidly and completely.
  3. Stay warm, wear socks even while in bed. Cover your head to prevent contact with dew when out at night.
  4. Sip on hot liquids through the day.
  5. Breathe a lot! Almost all viruses and germs cannot survive in highly oxygenated cells so help your body create an environment that’s unfavorable for these germs.
  6. Rest, rest, rest – This is the most natural and effective way to heal. It’s natures cure.

It’s good to fall sick once in a way, your body replenishes the white and red blood cells and it also strengthens immunity. So stay positive, don’t feel low and know you are doing the right things to get better.

We hope this article helps you. If you find these tips useful, let us know in the comments below! For more on managing illnesses during monsoon, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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How To Build Immunity To Safeguard Against COVID & Other Monsoon Illnesses

monsoon illnessesCOVID-19 should not be considered as the only disease that will attack our body during monsoon. You can be susceptible to other monsoon illnesses such as vector borne ones like dengue, malaria, seasonal influenza (H1N1) and Chikungunya. You need to understand that not all fever is COVID-related. It could also be Typhoid, Jaundice, Malaria or Common Cold. While these deadly diseases are all around us, the only best measure to safeguard ourselves is “Immunity”. 

Tips To Build Immunity & Safeguard Against COVID & Other Monsoon Illnesses

We are well aware of the symptoms of common diseases and everything should not be related to COVID-19. This constant fear will not let us differentiate between other diseases. Here are some points you can look at to manage monsoon illnesses.

  1. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Any infection, be it viral, bacterial or fungal, might be contagious. Maintaining self-hygiene is important.
  2. Take enough morning sunlight: Between 7am to 11am suits the best as UV rays are not very harsh at this time.
  3. Avoid oily and greasy food: We tend to eat stuff like pakodas and fried items during monsoon. Instead, choose healthy options like hot soup, green tea, ginger tea with popcorn and roasted lotus seeds.
  4. Good sleep: At least 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep to rejuvenate our body.
  5. Exercise regularly: Minimum of 15 mins of exercise and daily walks to be incorporated in routine.
  6. Load up on antioxidants: Eat well washed bright coloured yellow and orange fruits and green leafy vegetables, as they are rich in antioxidants.
  7. Flush your system well with water: A minimum of 2.5-3L of water is a must. Be it in any form like coconut, lime, infused with fruits or spices, green tea and concoctions.
  8. Strengthen your gut: With pre and probiotics, like curd, pickles, fermented foods and kimchi.
  9. Increase protein intake: To prepare your body and avoid weaknesses.
  10. Respect Indian spices: Spices are rich in minerals and antioxidant properties. They help flush sinus infections too! 
  11. Detox your body: With fasting, which gives rest to our digestive system to improve the performance of other organs. This should be under supervision if diabetic or indicative of other comorbidities.

You should be fine as long as you follow the above 11 pointers. If you show any symptoms, it’s best to consult with your doctor before panicking. Certain illnesses like cold, fever and diarrhoea are common during the monsoon. Check with an expert and avoid self-medication. It would be wise to check your blood oxygen levels (SpO2) from time to time as well. You can use the GOQii Smart Vital that has sensors to detect body temperature, SpO2, blood pressure and heart rate. 

We hope this article helps you. If you find these tips useful, let us know in the comments below! For more on managing COVID, you can check out Healthy Reads or tune in to classes by experts on GOQii Play. 

To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu  

#BeTheForce 

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Tips to protect yourself from allergic conjunctivitis this monsoon

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!

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Nail matters!

How-to-Whiten-Legs-Fast-2

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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:

  1. Tinea Cruris / Ringworm
  2. Candidiasis
  3. Fungal Infection of Nails (Onychomycosis)
  4. Tinea Alba (Pityriasis Alba)
  5. Tinea Versicolor (Pityriasis Versicolor)
  6. 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).

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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.

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. Avoid putting your hands or feet in water constantly.
  3. 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.
  4. Too much nail polish and or wearing artificial nails tends to trap moisture, which will allow the fungi to thrive.
  5. Do not tear the skin around the nails or trim it. The slightest injury or cut allows the fungi to enter the nail.
  6. 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!

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