covid safety tips Archives

July 6, 2021 By Premlata Sharma Leave a Comment

Coronavirus Prevention Tips For Older Adults

We are well aware of how contagious COVID-19 is. Research has found that the coronavirus creates inflammation in the body. Inflammation has been connected to most of the major diseases of our time and over half of us are living with chronic inflammation driven by diet, stress and lack of sleep. According to the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases, older adults are considered to be at high risk as compared to others because their immunity weakens as they age. The risk increases with 50+ and those who are 85+ are more vulnerable to severe infection. WHO has provided guidelines and coronavirus prevention tips for older adults to manage themselves during this pandemic.

Coronavirus Prevention Tips For Older Adults

Some of the basic guidelines suggested by WHO include:

Washing hands frequently with proper hand wash
Avoid touching eyes, nose and ears with unwashed hands
Wear a mask when going out
Clean frequently touched surfaces with disinfectants
Avoid going out if you are sick
Cough or sneeze into your flexed elbow to avoid spread of the virus
Maintain social-distancing of about 6feet (1meter)
Do not go out in public places even if you feel healthy, if important follow all the instructions given by local authorities
Socialize over the phone with friends and relatives
Avoid unnecessary traveling

For Adults With Health Conditions

Older adults with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, BP, cholesterol, thyroid, kidney problems, asthma etc. should avoid going out. Do not visit the hospital unless necessary.
Take precautions if you suffer from respiratory disorders
Monitor your health via devices to avoid panic. You can use the GOQii Smart Vital to measure your blood oxygen levels (SpO2), body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. You can also use the GOQii Vital ECG to check and detect issues such as arrhythmia and other abnormalities in heart rhythm.
Prefer online consultation and purchase medicines online too.
Plan 2 weeks in advance and purchase daily requirements online
Get vaccinated as soon as you can. For now, this is the best preventive measure you can take.
Forego vices such as smoking, alcohol and consuming tobacco products as they may deteriorate or worsen health conditions.

Some Health Tips You Can Follow

Switch to a healthy diet: Include whole grains, cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.
Maintain healthy weight: If overweight, try to reduce your weight gradually in a healthy way. Your GOQii Coach can help you with this!
Reduce stress: Don’t panic in critical situations and don’t over stress as this can lead to low immunity levels.
Sleep well: Proper and timely sleep is very crucial in maintaining health. The quality of your sleep also matters. Read more about sleep in our Sleep Series: https://goqii.com/blog/?s=sleep+series
Keep yourself hydrated: Have at least 3 liters of water everyday. Should be adjusted according to individual needs.
Exercise regularly: Even mild exercise such as walking or yoga accompanied by pranayama can go a long way in keeping you healthy!
Boost your immunity: Immunity of a person can be boosted in many ways through nutrition, exercise, etc. It is believed that acquired immunity can be made strong by following a healthy lifestyle. Get some immunity boosting tips here: https://goqii.com/blog/?s=immunity
Avoid processed and packaged foods: They are high in fats, sugar and salt. Preservatives present in these items lower our immunity.

Foods That You Can Eat

Dark green leafy vegetables: Such as spinach, methi etc. are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Fruits: Especially citrus fruits like orange, strawberry, sweet lime, lemon etc.
Unsalted nuts and seeds: Flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc. provides good fats.
Fatty fish: Salmon, sardines are rich sources of beneficial fatty acids and omega 3.
Olive oil and coconut oil: Prefer cold pressed, virgin, double filtered and filtered ones.
Millets and whole grains: Ragi, oats, barnyard, little millet etc. as they provide more fibers compared to refined products.
Green tea: Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, green tea helps in boosting immunity.
Herbs: such as ginger, garlic, turmeric pepper corns, cinnamon, giloy, tulsi, etc. helps in boosting immunity.
Probiotics like curds, ACV etc. keep the gut healthy!

We hope these immunity boosting coronavirus prevention tips for older adults help you stay healthy and active! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! For more on the health and wellness of senior citizens, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to classes on GOQii Play.

To get more tips directly from your GOQii Coach, sign up for personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

June 1, 2021 By Sunita Arora Leave a Comment

Symptoms To Watch Out For When RT PCR Tests Negative

Earlier in April, my cousin visited three hospitals in Delhi with his father, trying to get an oxygen bed for him. His father was tested negative for COVID-19 in the RT-PCR test, but was showing symptoms of the disease. His oxygen levels dropped to <90 and HRCT showed infection and pneumonia. Due to the false negative RT PCR Test report, his father had not received proper and timely treatment and after a week, the disease progressed and damaged more than 50% of his lungs.

India is currently going through the second wave of COVID-19 and the virus is said to be more infectious than it was previously. Due to the new structure of the double and triple mutant variant of the virus, it is undetectable in the RT-PCR test. Earlier fever, cough and difficulty in breathing were said to be the most common symptoms of the deadly virus but now, it’s important to be aware of the newest symptoms (like diarrhoea, vomiting, conjunctivitis) to be able to identify them, to take timely treatment and avoid complications. It’s important to know the four broad factors which determine the accuracy of an RT-PCR test: the viral load in the person, the quality of sample collection and processing, the efficacy of the test kit itself, and also the benchmark for test interpretation.

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention added new triggers and updated the list of COVID-19 symptoms:

Fever (mild or high)
Cough
Shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
Loss of appetite
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Nasal congestion
Loss of taste or smell
Skin rashes
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps
Red Eyes or conjunctivitis
Hearing loss
Extreme lethargy and weakness
Dry mouth or not enough saliva
Confusion state and brain fog

According to AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria, there is always a chance that it is a false negative, “If the test is not properly done or a swab is not taken properly, it shall be a false negative. If the symptoms are there and you have been in contact with a COVID positive person, then you must assume you are COVID positive too and take the necessary steps as any patient would,”

Dr Anurag Agarwal, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics said, “What people should remember is that PCR has a sensitivity of 70%. The load of the virus in one’s mouth and nose remain the highest a day before the symptoms start showing. Then the virus load gradually decreases. If people get tested late after 7 to 8 days, it is possible to get a negative test report because the virus may have travelled inside the body”.

So, the bottom line is this, if you test negative but still have any of the above-mentioned symptoms then take normal precautions as one would if tested positive. Consult a doctor and also isolate yourself, have plenty of fluids, a nutritional diet and supportive care.

How To Manage Mild Symptoms If The RT PCR Tests Negative

If the RT PCR tests negative, and you have any of the above symptoms, here’s what you can do to manage the milder ones.

Isolate yourself in a separate room with a working bathroom/toilet if possible.
Wear triple sharing masks covering your nose and mouth whenever you open the door. Those entering your room should do the same. Also, discard the mask after eight hours.
Make sure to wash your hands frequently with soap or use 70% alcohol-based sanitiser. You should also clean your room yourself with a disinfectant.
If possible, open windows for better ventilation.
Utensils should be cleaned wearing gloves with soap. Best to use disposables and it is strongly advised not to use personal items with others.
Frequently check your temperature for mild fever, body ache can take a paracetamol or Dolo 650.
Monitor your oxygen levels at least every 4-6 hours. If your breaths are too fast, take a six-minute walk and try again.
Keep yourself hydrated and have a healthy diet even if you can’t taste or smell a thing. Proper hydration and a healthy diet will ensure a faster recovery.

Seek emergency medical care in any of these cases:

Oxygen level on oximeter shows less than 94%
Shortness of breath worsens
Lips or face turn blue-ish
Feeling of disorientation increases
Fever of 101 F (38C) persists for more than three days
If you feel tightness pain in the chest
Slurred speech or seizure
Unable to wake up or sudden and extreme weakness

We hope this article helps you! Do be aware of these symptoms and take necessary precautions if your RT PCR tests negative.

To read more on COVID-19 management, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. To directly reach out to a GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce

May 17, 2021 By Megha Mahajan 1 Comment

How To Safely Isolate Yourself At Home

With COVID-19 still spreading like wildfire and the resulting shortage of medical facilities, people have opted to self-isolate at home. Although hospitals and doctors are best to help you recover fully, here are some tips which will help you safely isolate yourself at home with your family.

Who Needs Home Isolation?

Home isolation is for someone who has tested positive or is suspected to be positive. The purpose here is to recover fully and stop the contagion. Home isolation is not an option for patients who are infected and above 65 years of age or have other comorbidities. They need to be hospitalised in isolated wards.

What Essentials Will You Need?

Apart from the basic necessities of water, food, clothing and shelter, a COVID patient needs much more during isolation. A quick list will include:

Thermometer – to keep a regular check on body temperature
Oximeter – to ensure that your reading is above 90-95%, or else you may need supplemental oxygen.
Exhaust or a table fan, working like an exhaust to draw in the fresh air and recycle the virus-laden room air.
You will also need your doctor prescribed medications and a smartphone to stay connected with the doctor and your community.

How Can You Safely Isolate Yourself?

There are a few rules to safely isolate yourself at home with your family in the adjacent room:

Recovery happens best during rest. Hence make sure to follow the circadian rhythm and have a good night’s sleep. Wake up and soak in the sunshine to get your dose of vitamin D from your room window.
Breathe deeply, do pranayama or follow the Win Hoffman breathing method to strengthen your respiratory system. Sleeping on your stomach allows your lungs to expand fully on the backside. So practice it daily for a few minutes.
Drink 2-3 litres of water to flush out the toxins from your body. Include a herbal Kadha in small quantities too. If possible, add lemon juice to it to get in Vitamin C to combat the virus.
Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to load up on antioxidants to fight off the inflammation. Feed the gut bacteria a healthy dose of probiotics to strengthen the immune system. Avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol during the isolation.
Exercise, if you have the strength, to supply oxygen to every cell of your body. Confined within your room, you may just get enough space to do yoga or spot walking.

When Should You End Isolation?

Generally, 14-17 days are more than enough for home isolation. You need to make sure that you do not have any fever for at least three days before ending the isolation period. Also, it is important to get tested once again to check if you’ve fully recovered.

Staying isolated at home is a challenging task not just for you but your family too. They feel helpless as they are unable to care for you. And you might feel bogged down with solitary confinement. Nevertheless, you must ensure to follow proper sanitation methods and clean your room.

We hope this article helps you. For more, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play.

To get more expert advice on dealing with post-COVID recovery or general health issues, subscribe to GOQii and get in touch with your personal coach now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce

May 6, 2021 By Dr. Vaidya's Leave a Comment

Shopping For Essentials? Take These Precautions!

With the second wave of COVID-19 and all of us being home, we must be very vigilant when we step out for those essentials that we need. While it is most advisable to stay home completely, one may need essentials like everyday groceries and medicines for basic sustenance. The first choice is of course to go out, and use online stores if available (although this may also have its own supply chain issues). Many societies are also organizing deliveries to flats or having a vendor come into the society. While these solutions can be used by some, there are certain cases where one has to go out. In these cases, it is important to do what one can to protect oneself. So, what should we do to protect ourselves and others when shopping for essentials?

Precautions While Shopping For Essentials

Make sure you are fully ready and prepared before taking that step out the door.

Carry your own shopping bags.
Wear, as far as possible, the same clothes you always do when you go out. As far as possible, wear long trousers/dresses/joggers etc and also wear long sleeved tops.
Most important, wear your mask, as soon as you step out. Doesn’t have to be the fancy ones, a simple cloth one made at home will do as long as it covers your mouth and nose. Most importantly, make sure the mask is new or clean (has been washed).
Take gloves, to handle the items you are buying and in case you touch anyone or anything.
Wear footwear which is comfortable and if possible, washable.
Try not to carry a purse, either a wallet or loose money/cards in your pocket are the best.
Pocket sanitizers to use 2-3 times during visit.
Wash your hands before you go out and when you come back home.
Try your best not to touch your face with your hands or with gloves while out.

Once you reach your shop/supermarket of choice. You will probably have to wait in line to get in. Please make sure you are at least 5-7 feet away from the person in front and from the person behind. Maintaining this social distancing is necessary. If the shop does not have an organized line up system, think about going to another shop or maintain the distance yourself regardless of whether the shop is maintaining it or not.

If possible and if available, pre-order and pickup, or order at the door and request them to give you the items. If this is not possible, go inside, get what you want and leave as soon as possible. Try your best not to browse and cause crowding. Remember, these are essentials and even this small action from your end can benefit everyone around you.

Once back home, change your clothes immediately and ensure that you keep footwear outside. Wash your hands with soap and if possible take a shower to ensure maximum cleanliness so as to not risk others at home. For items in plastic, tetra packs or carton packaging , wipe them down using normal cleaning detergent with a cloth/sponge. For vegetables, wash them with water. Medicine packets/bottles strips should also be wiped down and sanitized.

We hope these tips help you when you go out shopping for essentials. Are there any specific precautions you’re taking? Let us know in the comments below. For more articles like this, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

For expert guidance, subscribe to GOQii or download the app here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce