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Can You Die From Pneumonia? 6 Serious Complications You Should Know

pneumoniaPneumonia is an infection of the lungs which can be caused by bacteria, fungi or a virus. It can range from mild to life threatening – when you require medical intervention at the earliest. When the air sac of one or both lungs are filled with some fluid or pus, it leads to inflammation which causes chest pain while breathing, cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty in breathing. Newborns up to 2 years of age and older people above 65 yrs of age are more prone to pneumonia as their immunity is not strong enough to fight the infection.

Types Of Pneumonia 

There are four types of Pneumonia.

  • CAP (Community Acquired Pneumonia): It is a type of pneumonia that occurs outside the hospital or other healthcare facilities and is caused by bacteria, bacteria like organisms, fungi or a virus like COVID-19 as well.
  • HAP (Hospital Acquired Pneumonia): This type of pneumonia occurs during a hospital stay and can be serious as the person is already sick.
  • Health Care Acquired Pneumonia: This type of acquired pneumonia occurs when patients stay for a long term in hospitals or go to outpatient clinics for dialysis or chemotherapy.
  • Aspiration Pneumonia: This type of pneumonia occurs when you inhale food, liquid, saliva or vomit in your lungs and that causes an infection and it also occurs when there’s a brain injury.

What Are The Complications That Occur? 

Even with treatment, some people with Pneumonia, who have other health ailments, suffer complications. Here are some of them: 

  1. Bacteremia: When infection is caused by bacteria, it travels down to the bloodstream and can lead to septic shock that lowers the blood pressure and the heart cannot pump blood into the organs and organs may stop working altogether. So, if you are having symptoms like fever with chills, low blood pressure, stomach upset, fast breathing with a fast heart rate, you need to consult a doctor immediately.
  2. Lung Abscesses: Sometimes, due to pneumonia, pus pockets are formed in the lungs and give rise to fever, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite and coughing. This basically happens when a person is having bacteremia, gum disease, weakened immune system and regular intake of alcohol.
  3. Pleural Effusions, Empyema and Pleurisy: There are two types of layers surrounding your lungs called pleura. One from the outer side and one lines the part of your chest where the lungs sit. They help the lungs to move smoothly when one breathes. Sometimes, pain occurs while breathing and this is because the pleura swells and sometimes a fluid forms in between the layers and that is known as PLEURA EFFUSION. And if the fluid gets infected it leads to EMPYEMA.
  4. Respiratory Failure: With pneumonia, your lungs get infected and they will not be able to transfer oxygen to organs and won’t be able to get rid of carbon dioxide from the body which leads to this condition. Symptoms are fast breathing, irregular heart rate, anxiety, fatigue, losing consciousness or bluish tint on your skin, fingertips or nails.
  5. Kidney Failure: It’s not a common complication of pneumonia but when you are having bacteremia or septic shock, your heart may not be able to pump enough blood to your kidneys and they might stop functioning. Chances of kidney failure are high if it is coupled with other metabolic disorders.
  6. Heart Failure: Chances of heart diseases are higher if you have pneumonia as the heart may not be able to pump enough blood and oxygen as the heart itself doesn’t have enough supply. 

All the complications of pneumonia are not to be taken casually. If you experience any of the above symptoms or complications, seek medical help immediately. You can also track symptoms such as low blood oxygen, low blood pressure, increased heart rate and high body temperature with Smart Devices from GOQii. Tracking these symptoms early can help you avoid any unnecessary complications and get medical assistance on time.

We hope this article helps you. For more on Pneumonia and other medical conditions, check out Healthy Reads or ask your GOQii Coach directly by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

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How You Can Manage Stress With Nutrition!

manage stressStress and nutrition have always been linked – it’s a fact that has been in existence for years. It’s no rocket science to realize that someone with a healthy and balanced diet is likely to be far less stressed than someone with a poor diet.

Stress has become a common factor in one’s life. Various factors such as pressures from home or work, some unforeseen circumstances or situations completely beyond our control that lead to stress. What’s even more common is that while stressed, people tend to eat. This involves a lot of comfort food like macaroni and cheese, pizza, and ice cream.

All these high-fat foods are usually the worst possible choices because they can make us feel lethargic and unable to deal with stress. To add to this, stress can drive up our blood pressure and raise serum cholesterol levels, wreaking havoc on our arteries and increasing risk of heart attacks.

Best solution? Low-fat, high-fiber, carbohydrate-rich meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables. They soothe us without sapping our energy and give us the nutrients we need to boost our immune system.

Which Foods Help You Manage Stress? 

  • Water: It hydrates a person, makes one more energetic and less stressed!
  • Asparagus: I know, these slender stalks are known to make your urine smell funny, but they are high in folate, which is essential for keeping your cool 
  • Avocados: These creamy fruits stress proof your body. Rich in glutathione, a substance that specifically blocks intestinal absorption of certain fats that cause oxidative damage, avocados also contain lutein, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and more folate than any other fruit. 
  • Berries: Blueberries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants known as anthocyanin and they have been linked to all kinds of positive health outcomes, including sharper cognition. But, all berries, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in vitamin C which has been shown to be helpful in combating stress. 
  • Chocolate: besides the healthy antioxidants in this treat which push chocolate to the top of most heart-healthy food lists, Chocolate also has an undeniable link to mood but, moderation is key to it.
  • Green tea: has an amino acid called theanine. This slimming food is a brain booster as well as enhances mental performance.
  • Oatmeal: a complex carbohydrate, Oatmeal causes your brain to produce serotonin, a feel-good chemical.
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables: Vegetables have high fiber content, which is helpful in treating constipation -another long term effect of stress. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide an array of vitamins and minerals that are great for reducing stress. 
  • Fish: such as Mackerel contain Omega fatty acids, which are extremely good for the heart and can protect you from heart diseases. Fish also contains choline – a great memory booster.
  • Yogurts: provide minerals including calcium, essential to maintain well functioning nerve impulses. 
  • Herbal Products: Herbal items such as Dandelion, Chamomile, and Passion flower to name a few, relax both the body and mind.

Having said the above, there are certain foods and drinks that can aggravate stress. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid some of them completely but, it is advised that you consume them in moderation.

Foods That May Trigger Stress 

  • Tea, coffee, cocoa, energy drinks: These drinks contain neuro-stimulators like caffeine and theobromine, which are proven to heighten stress. 
  • Fast foods and takeaways: contain high levels of protein, fats and carbohydrates that don’t contain vital minerals and vitamins, which in turn induce stress. 
  • Sugar: Stress causes an increase in blood glucose levels, which can in turn lead to a higher risk of developing diabetes. 
  • Soda, Alcohol, soft drinks and chocolate drinks: The high level of carbon dioxide and sugars in beverages can aggravate stress. Soft drinks need to be considered as an unnecessary addition to your diet. 

So before you go in to grab that cold aerated beverage or have a cheesy burger to relieve your stress, think twice and instead go for the healthier food options suggested above!

We hope this article helps you manage stress with nutrition! For more tips to help you manage stress better, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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Fox Nuts: The Lotus Seeds & Its Nutritional Benefits!

Fox Nuts - Makhana - Lotus SeedsAs a kid, my mother used to feed me fox nuts – which I hated because they were tasteless. A few years ago, someone reintroduced me to them, and to my surprise, I still wasn’t a fan. I wondered why people liked them.

Thankfully, my mom had a way of getting me to eat them. She roasted the nuts, adding some spices and condiments, creating a healthy version of popcorn. Crunchy, flavorful, and the perfect tea-time snack!

Fox nuts are seeds from the lotus flower. They are cultivated in water, largely found in India, and known as “Makhana.” They are also found in Korea, Japan, and Russia, where they are referred to as “Gorgon Nuts” or Euryale Ferox.

Highly nutritious, fox nuts have been popular as a snack and are commonly used in various recipes, especially in Indian cuisine. They can be enjoyed roasted or fried and stored long-term in airtight containers. The Chinese have used them medicinally to strengthen the spleen and kidneys due to their many health benefits.

The Health Benefits Of Eating Fox Nuts

  • Fox Nuts are considered nutritionally superior to dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts and coconut in terms of sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and phenol content
  • They are rich in antioxidants, which help prevent signs of aging like white hair, wrinkles, and premature aging.
  • Their high fiber content helps to avoid constipation. It helps the body flush out waste and prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body 
  • It is also an aphrodisiac, helping in fertility issues like premature ejaculation, increasing the quality of semen and also helps women in overcoming infertility
  • These nuts are low on saturated fats and Sodium and high on Magnesium, Potassium and helps in controlling high blood pressure and diabetes as well
  • Fox Nuts help in controlling palpitation and insomnia as it has calming properties
  • It helps in relieving arthritis – numbness and pain in joints
  • As it is has astringent properties, it also helps cure diarrhea and have a better appetite
  • It strengthens the body and reduces burning sensation and quenches thirst

Here is my mother’s simple recipe to make it more tastier!

Fox nuts can be included in cereals or soups to support good health. High in protein, they make a great vegetarian snack. However, since their taste is neutral, most people don’t eat them raw. Here’s a simple recipe my mother used to make them more flavorful:

  1. Heat 2 teaspoon of homemade ghee in a pan
  2. Add salt and turmeric, stirring for few seconds. You can also add red chili, curry leaves, and mustard seeds for extra flavor.
  3. Add the Fox nuts and roast them for a few minutes

This snack is ideal for between meals or with tea or coffee. Fox nuts are also enjoyed as a fasting food in India, where they are regarded as sacred. Apart from snacking, you can add them to cereals, vegetable dishes, rice, or even desserts. So, what are you waiting for? Add fox nuts to your diet today!

Found this article helpful? Read up more on nutrition here. To get these tips, recipes and learn more about different foods, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Vitamins that are essentially important for Women

vitaminsEveryone has heard about different vitamins and why they are essential for the human body. However, very few people know which vitamins are specifically required by the body. Certain Vitamins are absolutely necessary for women to maintain overall health, and it’s important to obtain these in the daily recommended intake (DRI) amounts. These vitamins can be acquired through good food choices.

Let’s explore the vitamins required by a woman’s body!

Here is the list of vitamins necessary  for women to live a healthy life:-

(1) Vitamin A

  • Obtained in the form of beta-carotene from food, which is then converted into vitamin A in our body.
  • Helps in maintaining good eyesight and prevents deficiency complications such as night blindness, xeropthalmia etc.
  • Found in antioxidant-rich foods such as carrots, apricots etc.

(2) Vitamin C

  • Also known as ascorbic acid
  • Aids in healing
  • Helps in the formation of RBC’s (Red Blood Cells)
  • It is required by anaemic women
  • Boosts the brain chemical, noradrenaline
  • Vitamin C levels decreases with age, and since it’s a water-soluble vitamin, it cannot be stored in the body, so regular intake is very important
  • Found in fruits such as oranges, grapes, kiwi, lemons etc.

(3) Vitamin E

  • Also known as tocopherol and sometimes, tocotrienols
  • Slows signs of aging
  • Helps in maintaining healthy skin
  • Found in foods such as sunflower oil, safflower oil, hazelnuts etc

(4) Vitamin B6

  • A water-soluble vitamin
  • Crucially important
  • Also known as pyridoxine
  • Helps in boosting metabolism
  • Found in bananas, chickpeas, oatmeal etc

(5) Vitamin B12

  • Also known as cyanocobalamin
  • Boost metabolism
  • Aids in Erythropoiesis (the making of RBCs)
  • Animal sources contain vitamin B12
  • Red meat is the richest source

(6) Folic acid

  • Very important during pregnancy
  • Helps in forming a healthy brain and spinal cord
  • Prevents birth defects such as Spinal Bifida
  • Found in spinach, dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus, citrus fruits, fortified cereals, etc
  • External supplementation is recommended during pregnancy

(7) Vitamin D

  • Aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous
  • Extremely important for postmenopausal women
  • A lack of Vitamin D can lead to osteopenia and eventually osteoporosis
  • Sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D

(8) Vitamin K

  • Keeps bones strong
  • Helps in blood clotting, which in turn prevents excessive bleeding
  • Good sources include green leafy veggies, soyabean oil, fish oil, etc

Get yourself checked for your Vitamin level and make sure to meet the DRI of these essential Vitamins to maintain overall health.

Ensuring adequate intake of essential vitamins can greatly benefit women’s health, enhancing energy levels, immunity, and overall well-being. Remember, a balanced diet is key to achieving these daily vitamin needs. If this article helped you, let us know in the comments below! For more on nutrition and women’s health, check out our Healthy Reads or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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