Archive for 2017

Dangerous Fashion Trends

Friday, March 17th, 2017

Fashion is supposed to empower you and make you feel good about yourself. But to what extent?

Some of the trends abound can actually harm you and even make you fall sick. Here are some fashion fads you should think twice about.

Tight-Fitting Jeans

Yes, these jeans may make your body look good, but wearing them on a regular basis can potentially harm your lower body. Jeans can press into the nerves supplying the thigh so you can get numbness at the side of the thigh with some tingling. It can also lead to weakness in the lower limbs.

High Heels

While it said that the right pair of shoes can make or break an outfit, it is also true that the right pair of shoes can be the wrong one for your body. Lateral ankle sprain, stress fractures, worsening of bunions, hammertoes, neuroma pain and burning under the balls of the foot are common side effects of wearing heels for long. Moreover, prolonged periods of wearing high heels can alter the natural positioning of your feet and ankle.

Stretching and strengthening exercises can be done to prepare feet and ankles for high heels.

Neck Ties

It is of utmost importance to avoid securing your tie too tight. This measure is to avoid building up of intracranial pressure and its resulting increased eye pressure. Give your neck region enough breathing space at all times.

Gel Manicures

Gel manicures have taken the fashion world by storm recently. However, over exposure to the U.V. light that dries the nails can lead to photo damage to the hand, that can result in increased aging of the skin and also increased risk of skin cancer. This can be prevented by getting gel manicures less frequently or going to salons that utilize LED light.

Tight hairstyles

Women should avoid tying tight ponytails or buns often. Pulling tightly on the hair follicles for a long period of time can lead to traction alopecia, which causes permanent hair-loss. The solution is to loosen the strength of the pull and make sure that there isn’t any discomfort or tension.

For comprehensive treatments on hair loss, visit The Aestethic Clinic today.

https://www.aestheticlinic.co.in/our_services/hair-care-non-invasive/

Heavy Handbags

Large and heavy handbags cause a lot of strain on your shoulders, back, tendons, and muscles. This can lead to pain, headaches, and muscle tension, some of which becomes serious enough to need medical attention. It is best to carry light and switch handbags among shoulders.

Health Tips for Season Change

Friday, March 10th, 2017

The unpredictable weather patterns and changing seasons can take a serious toll on your health. Hair fall, acne, diseases, dull skin, losing weight, are some of the punishments you get from shifting seasons. Worry not, browse through this blog to learn simple health tips to be followed while this season changes. Now you can say cheers to the sunny days!

Hydration

Water is essential for healthy living. Drinking water detoxifies and moisturizes skin from inside. It can keep a check on any season change sickness and also replenishes lost fluids. So, when you feel the corners of your mouth dry and chapped lips and you’re thirsty, you are “dehydrated”- drink minimum 8 glasses of water a day, which will keep away health issues.

Seasonal Nutrition

To stay healthy, it is a must to include theseason’s fruits and vegetables. Seasonal nutrition means it is fresh and the naturally occurring minerals and vitamins in them are also fresh. At this time of the year, include watermelons, muskmelons, papaya, lychee and other summer fruits to your diet!

Keep Insects Away

The onset of summer invites a ton of insects into our homes. These uninvited dangerous guests can hurt you and put your health in danger. Cover the trashes, the open drains, the stored water, just bug-proof your home, surround your outdoor areas with non-flowery greenery and banish the blooming plants, clear off the weedy bushes and apply insect repellent often.

Healthy Diet

Summer season means holidays and beach time. In order to get into a summer shape, don’t compromise on your diet. Consume fresh food, avoid over eating. Try to eat within not too long intervals of time and give time to your food to get digested. Fuel your body’s basic energy needs with the right kind and in the right amount. Avoid too much of oily food or outside junk food during the summers, rather, eat food that is be light, hydrating and refreshing.https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutrition.html

Skin Care

Skin gets greatly affected by soaring temperatures and excess dust. As the heat increases, remember to pamper your skin. Let your skin breath with the right kind of moisturizing lotion or cream. Do not forget cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising and protecting your skin, always use a light, oil free moisturiser so that the pores are not clogged and the skin feels not greasy but hydrated.

For all types of skin and hair care, avail exceptional services from The Aesthetic Clinic: https://www.aestheticlinic.co.in

Dress for the Season

Give your body some solace from the heat by avoiding tight fitting clothing. Wear linen and cotton fabric clothes of lighter colours to cover your body. Do not keep yourself over-exposed, and let your skin get tanned in the sun or get bitten by the bug.

What is important during the season change is to stay healthy and familiarize with the seasons instead of cursing and hating them. Follow the above mentioned health tips and enjoy the summer!

Soft Drinks: Menace and Monster

Thursday, March 2nd, 2017

The temperatures in the city are soaring, and if there’s one thing that can offer complete solace- its sugary soft drinks. Yes, they can be immensely satisfying, but little do you know, they can wreck your entire body.

There are approximately 10 teaspoons of added sugar in a single can of cola. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend consuming no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar daily, meaning drinking just one serving of cola a day could take you well above these guidelines.

As such, it is no surprise that sugary drink consumption is associated with an array of health conditions. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, people who drink 1-2 cans of sugary beverages daily are 26% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. That’s not where it ends. Read on to find out the harmful effects of drinking soft drinks.

Sugar Sack

A single can of soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. This amount of sugar, especially in liquid form, skyrockets the blood sugar and causes an insulin reaction in the body. Over time, this can lead to diabetes or insulin resistance, not to mention weight gain and other health problems. Soft drink companies are the largest user of sugar in the country.

Phosphoric Acid Poison

Soda contains phosphoric acid, which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to osteoporosis, cavities and bone softening. Phosphoric Acid also interacts with stomach acid, slowing digestion and blocking nutrient absorption.

Artificial Sweeteners

In diet sodas, aspartame is used as a substitute for sugar, and can actually be more harmful. It has been linked to almost a hundred different health problems including seizures, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, diabetes, and emotional disorders. It converts to methanol at warm temperatures and methanol breaks down to formaldehyde and formic acid. Diet sodas also increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, which causes belly fat, high blood sugar and raised cholesterol.

Cartload of Caffeine

Most sodas contain caffeine, which has been linked to certain cancers, breast lumps, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and other problems.

Watch out for the Water

The water used in soda is just simple tap water and can contain chemicals like chlorine, fluoride and traces of heavy metals.

Obesity Obviously

Harvard University researchers have recently positively linked soft drinks to obesity. The study found that 12 year olds who drank soda were more likely to be obese than those who didn’t, and for each serving of soda consumed daily, the risk of obesity increased 1.6 times.

Excessively Extra Fructose

Sodas contain High Fructose Corn Syrup, which comes from corn. Most of this corn has been genetically modified, and there are no long term studies showing the safety of genetically modified crops, as genetic modification of crops has only been around since the 1990s. Also, the process of making High Fructose Corn Syrup involves traces of mercury, which causes a variety of long term health problems.

Lack of Nutrients

There is absolutely no nutritional value in soda whatsoever. Not only are there many harmful effects of soda, but there are not even any positive benefits to outweigh them. Soda is an unnatural substance that harms the body.

Disturbing Dehydration

Because of the high sugar, sodium and caffeine content in soda, it dehydrates the body and over a long period of time can cause chronic dehydration.

Bad for the teeth

Drinking soda regularly causes plaque to build up on the teeth and can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Don’t get carried away in the craze of drinking soft drinks. It’s better to decrease your soft drink intake and increase the amount of water you consume on a daily basis. Try carrying a refillable water bottle with you so that you have something to drink when thirst hits. If you need a hint of flavor, try adding slices of fruit to your water to infuse it with flavor. Watermelon, lemon, lime and peach are good options.

The Elixir of Life

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017

Water is, and always has been, essential to everyday life. Humans are dependent on water to function. Our bodies are made up of nearly 70% water, and our major organs are much more dependent on it to function. The water in our bodies helps regulate our body temperature and powers our organs, muscles, and cells to function correctly. Whether you’re a sportsperson or a doctor, your body needs adequate amounts of water to survive and thrive on a daily basis.

Water is needed for most body functions, including to:

  • Maintain the health and integrity of every cell in the body
  • Keep the bloodstream liquid enough to flow through blood vessels
  • Help eliminate the by-products of the body’s metabolism, excess electrolytes (for example, sodium and potassium), and urea, which is a waste product formed through the processing of dietary protein
  • Regulate body temperature through sweating
  • Moisten mucous membranes such as those of the lungs and mouth
  • Lubricate and cushion joints
  • Helps transfer nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and waste products from one cell to another.
  • Reduce the risk of cystitis by keeping the bladder clear of bacteria
  • Aid digestion and prevent constipation
  • Moisturise the skin to maintain its texture and appearance
  • Boost your physical performance
  • Serve as a shock absorber inside the eyes, spinal cord and in the amniotic sac surrounding the foetus in pregnancy.

How much water do you need to drink?

The amount of water you should drink on a daily basis depends on your lifestyle, fitness and other habits. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, but that number may be conservative for optimal health. It depends on your weight, activity level, and other factors that affect your health. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding how much you want to drink. Coffee and alcohol are diuretics that can lead to dehydration. If you’re exercising, you’ll want to increase your water intake. If it’s a hot summer day, and you’re moving around a lot, you’ll want to make sure you keep up by drinking water throughout the day. Under any of these circumstances, you’ll want to increase your fluid intake.

Keep in mind, commercially bottled mineral water contains salt, which can lead to fluid retention and swelling, and even increased blood pressure in susceptible people. Limit the amount of mineral water for optimum consumption.

On a concluding note, it is important to remember that water is essential to most bodily functions. The body has no way to store water and needs fresh supplies every day. It is up to you to fuel this machine that keeps you going every day.

For more information of creating a well-balanced diet, and to know the optimum water intake for you, take an appointment with our Nutrition Department: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutrition.html

Healthy Heart, Happy Heart

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

Valentine’s Day is here, and everywhere you go, everything you look at, is covered with bright, red hearts! Though it is the symbol of love, the heart is undoubtedly the most important organ in our body. Today, show some love to your heart, and invest time in making sure it is healthy and happy. Embark on a heart-healthy lifestyle to fight heart disease by taking the following measures.

Schedule a Yearly Checkup

Each year, schedule a checkup to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked, and ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. These tests will give you insight into your risk for heart disease. Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations, including taking prescribed medications as directed.

Book one now: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/manage/shop/executive-health-checkup

Get Moving

Step, march or jog in place for at least 15 minutes a day while watching TV or doing household chores. Increase your activity by five minutes each week until you’re getting a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week. Exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and other medical conditions.

Eat Healthy

A diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and olive oil – consistent with the Mediterranean diet – can decrease the incidence of heart disease by 30 percent, whereas diets high in saturated fats and simple sugars can increase the risk of heart disease by 30 percent. Be sensible about what you take on your plate.

Keep your diet in check: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutrition.html

Cut Down on Salt

To help lower high blood pressure, watch your salt intake. It may be disguised in food labels as sodium alginate, sodium sulfite, sodium caseinate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or sodium citrate.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To achieve steady, painless weight loss, take it easy. Each day, if you eat 200-300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you’ll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that’s steady and painless.

Stay Positive and Stress-Free

Stress takes a toll on the heart, increasing hormones throughout the body that are associated with the ‘flight-or-fight syndrome,’ leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It can also increase the stress hormones, such as cortisol, which causes inflammation, all leading to heart disease. Managing stress is a large part of being heart-healthy.

If required, get help: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html

Keep a check on your medical history

If you’re a woman, consider your pregnancy history. If you had high blood pressure or elevated sugars during pregnancy, you are at higher risk of heart disease. Get information about your family’s medical history, as that may play a part on your risk of getting heart diseases.

Your heart is in your hands. Value it, and take care of it. Start this Valentine’s Day.

For all cardiac solutions, contact our Cardiac Sciences Department: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cardiacsciences.html