Health and Safety Tips for Christmas & New Year

It’s that time of the year when people paint the town red with their festive spirit but this is also the time when maximum accident cases and medical emergencies are reported. Christmas and New Year celebrations continue all through the week making the whole world glitzter in lights and magic. In midst of all the celebrations, people sometimes tend to get carried away and indulge in reckless behavior which they often regret later

Follow these tips to ensure that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as you indulge in Christmas and New Year celebrations

• Don’t let the Christmas celebrations end with accidents & mishaps caused by festive drinking. Alcoholic beverages not only contain empty calories but also have a negative impact on your blood sugar. What’s more… alcohol also affects certain parts of the brain that control concentration, behavior, coordination and emotions. Drink responsibly and ensure that one person from the group always stays sober for driving. If you can plan a party, make sure you also plan how to get home safely
• Do not place candles on or near a Christmas tree as it can easily be the cause of a house fire. Never keep open flame unattended as your children/pets could come in contact with them leading to an injury
• Christmas is all about festive merriment and tempting treats. Over-consumption of sugar-laden treats will not only add to your body weight but also cause dental problems, including cavities. Having 1 or 2 festive favorites won’t hurt you but at the same time do not forget to practice good dental hygiene in order to prevent tooth decay & gum disease
• Festive preparations demand a lot of energy and often call for too much of stress due to multi-tasking. Handling several tasks on your own and trying to accommodate too many things within too little time can trigger tension headaches. Drink plenty of water as dehydration can worsen these headaches. Stress less
• Have a full stomach before consuming alcoholic beverages. High protein food items will not only slow down the absorption of alcohol in your digestive track, but also keep you from snacking on candy or appetizers at a party.
• Drink a glass of water in between mixed drinks in order to prevent dehydration or getting intoxicated.
• Never mix caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol as it could potentially disrupt your heart’s rhythm
• Pushing your physical limits with extra food, drinking and partying can lead to a damaged immune system. It also drains essential nutrients from the body. Take Vitamin B, Vitamin C and magnesium supplements. Detoxify your body by drinking plenty of water, fruit/vegetable juice, herbal tea with lemon and honey.

Regardless of the safety measures that have been undertaken, your night of partying could take an unexpected turn sometimes even without a warning. Act responsibly and always maintain an open line of communication between you and your family/friends. Someone with you should be aware of where you are at all times.

Indulge in festive merriment but make sure you take all the necessary precautions to stay safe

Have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year

Did you know…?

Breathing the air in Mumbai for just 1 day is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes, a study says

Diwali celebrations ended almost a month ago but the contamination in the air still continues to threaten the city

In order to have minimal impact on a person’s health, the air quality index has to be between 0 and 50 but as recorded by the meteorological department in Mumbai last month, the air quality index has mounted to dangerously high levels of 225 which can easily increase the susceptibility to respiratory infections in sensitive individuals especially children and the elderly.

The air quality has worsened not only in Mumbai but in Delhi as well. Known for its crisp cold nights, Delhi weather has deteriorated to nothing but grey, smog-filled health nightmare. Pollution levels have escalated considerably over the past few days after both the cities witnessed a certain level of drop in the temperature

According to the World Health Organization, Every year, Air pollution claims millions of lives across the globe, with more than 627,000 deaths reported in India alone. According to a study 1 in every 8 deaths on earth are linked to Air Pollution

Prolonged exposure to high levels of air pollutants can not only cause respiratory disorders in healthy people but also impact those with existing heart and respiratory disorders. Mumbai’s air pollution standards index (PSI) shows that pollution levels rise after the monsoon and peak in December. Laden with toxic substances and cancer-causing particles, the air in Mumbai has become more polluted than the air in Beijing. One of the main causes of this outcome is the increasing number of vehicles on Mumbai’s streets. Motor vehicles emit a host of hazardous pollutants into the air, most of which are capable of causing a significant damage to the human health. Toxic gases emitted from chemical factories and fire crackers have further aggravated the problem of air pollution, thereby creating an unbearable living condition in India

Here are a few ways in which poor air quality can impact your health

• It causes lung cancer and also increases the risk of bladder cancer
• It aggravates the symptoms of Asthmatic patients
• It causes difficulty in breathing
• It leads to irritation in the eye
• It has a negative impact on the immune system
• It affects the texture of hair & skin

Constant monitoring of Air Quality is absolutely essential to keep a tab on the level of contamination. What’s more…, Educating people and creating awareness about the dangers of Air Pollution can transform the current scenario.

Winter, also referred to as the Flu season is accompanied by a host of illnesses, most of which are easily spread from one person to the other. The most effective way to fight common winter ailments is by eating food items that will help you build healthy cells in the body, in other words help you ‘boost your immunity levels’. Our immune system is like a strong anti-virus device that helps in fighting infection/virus and if it functions well, we will always be disease-free regardless of temperature fluctuations and seasonal change.

Did you know…?

Winter, seasonal fruits and vegetables are actually higher in many immune-boosting properties. They are also packed with extra doses of vitamins, minerals and protein.  Fill-up your grocery bag with lots of fresh fruits, veggies and food items that equip the body to fight winter ailments. A strong immune system, safeguards the body from a host of diseases.

On your next visit to the supermarket, make sure you add the fresh versions of these immune boosting foods to your cart

• Honey is the perfect anti-depressant for those suffering from ‘the winter blues’. What’s more… this nature’s very own sweet nectar is loaded with antioxidants that not only protects the skin during cold weather but also keeps the immune system functioning at its very best.
• Oranges when consumed as a fruit or in the form of juice equips the body to fight against cough and common cold. With easy access to oranges, you may not have to depend on antibiotics for the treatment of winter ailments
• Leafy green veggies get their color from chlorophyll, which is packed with magnesium – a vital mineral that is known to promote a healthy immune system, boost heart health, prevent inflammation related to certain cancers and even reduce the risk for a heart attack
  While picking veggies for your salad, go for the darkest leaves
• 1 pomegranate provides approximately 40 % of an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement.What’s more…Pomegranates, with their tiny ruby seeds are also loaded with folic acid, fiber, potassium, niacin and vitamins A and E. Researchers believe that Pomegranate juice may contain almost 3 times the antioxidants as green tea or red wine. Include this wintertime superfood in your diet
• Packed with beta-carotene and Vitamin A, Carrots play an important role in keeping cold & flu at bay. They are also known to fight infections which are very common during the colder months
• Known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, Green tea ensures optimum functioning of the immune system
• White mushrooms contain significantly high levels of natural killer cells which is an important constituent of the immune system
• Garlic is a powerhouse of nutrients, particularly vitamins B1, B6 and C, iron and phosphorus. What’s more…fresh garlic is a potent antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agent. Experts believe that including more of garlic in your food could prove to be a good preventative measure in fighting coughs, colds and chest infections during the winter months
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-55132/Garlic-immune-booster.html
• Rich in fibre, Vitamin B and Magnesium, Oats boost energy levels and also help the thyroid and adrenal glands in regulating the body’s temperature. What’s more… being inherently high in zinc, Oats also promote healthy functioning of the immune system
• Turmeric has a very high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory value that improves cell health and boosts immunity
• Ginger is a proven diaphoretic, meaning it has the ability to trigger perspiration.  Sweat contains a natural antibiotic named ‘Dermcidin’ that protects against bacterial, fungal, viral and microbial infections. Including more of ginger in your diet thus helps the body in getting rid of various toxins which in turn benefits the immune system
  https://www.naturalnews.com/047994_ginger_stomach_issues_immune_system.html

It is estimated that approximately 1,400,000 to 1,600,000 people infected with HIV/AIDS currently reside in India. After South Africa and Nigeria, India is believed to harbor maximum number of HIV infected people in the world. Growing concerns on this issue have resulted in many governmental and non-governmental organizations taking drastic steps to increase awareness about this disease but the general public still continues to be largely ignorant.

One of the biggest hurdles in eradicating HIV/AIDS from our country is the stigma associated with it. HIV and AIDS-related stigma has led to discrimination against people living with this disease thereby restricting their access to better healthcare facilities

Hollywood Actor Charlie Sheen recently came out in the open about his HIV infection. It’s about time people let go of the social stigma and speak more openly about this disease in order to reveal its devastating health effects.

Here are a few lesser known facts about HIV/AIDS

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is infact a virus that attacks the immune system and makes the body highly vulnerable to dangerous diseases.
• HIV emerged from Africa and spread across the globe in less than 10 years
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease or medical condition which develops when the Human Immunodeficiency Virus has caused a significant amount of damage to a person’s immune system
• HIV/AIDS spreads by having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles or syringes, blood transfusions and from being born to an infected mother. It doesn’t spread by touching, hugging or kissing an infected person.
• It is possible for a person to be infected with HIV and not have AIDS for years. Thanks to constant advancement in medical science, it is now possible to control the growth of HIV. With advanced therapies and specific lifestyle changes, levels of HIV infection can be controlled to a large extent thereby preventing opportunistic infections and a diagnosis of AIDS
• Within 2 to 4 weeks of HIV entering the body, 40% to 90% of people experience flulike symptoms, but sometimes symptoms don’t appear for years. Many people who have HIV don’t even know it because they don’t show any symptoms for years.
• The symptoms for HIV/AIDS can be very deceptive hence one cannot rely solely on symptoms in order to be certain about his/her HIV status. Getting tested is the only way to be sure about the presence of HIV in the body
• Mosquitoes do not transmit or transfer one person’s blood into another person.However they do insert their saliva into their victims which carries a host of fatal illnesses like Dengue, Malaria, Yellow fever etc. HIV virus cannot live inside insects for long enough to be transferred through their saliva
• A simple saliva or blood test is used to diagnose the HIV infection; however, this test only works several weeks after the infection has entered the body.
• AIDS is a condition in which the immune system is affected to a large extent therefore AIDS detection test is conducted by taking a count of the immune cells, called CD4 cells
• Those affected with HIV/AIDS tend to show early signs of ageing mainly as a result of chronic inflammation caused by the virus even during the antiretroviral treatment.

Although HIV and AIDS have become very common it is still surrounded by silence and ignorance. World AIDS Day is a global initiative that encourages communities to take a stand against HIV/AIDS.

Voice your support for people living with this disease and work towards building an AIDS Aware society

Epilepsy is a medical condition in which a person experiences repeated, unprovoked seizures which is caused by a sporadic, sudden and extreme electrical discharge from cells in the brain.

India is home to an estimated population of 10 million epileptic patients. Atleast 1 out of every 100 or 200 people in India suffers from this neurological disorder. Depending on its kind, Epilepsy affects people in different ways

Treatment options for Epilepsy has progressed immensely since the past decade but the stigma and shame associated with this disorder prevents people from seeing proper medical help. Inspite of being the oldest medical condition on record, Epilepsy has still been kept under wraps and very little has been spoken about this issue on a public platform

Let’s generate awareness by busting some common myths and misconceptions about epilepsy.

Myth – Epilepsy is caused by “evil spirits” or “supernatural powers

Fact – Epilepsy is a neurological disorder hence should be treated by neurologists, epileptologists, physicians and pediatricians.

Myth – Epilepsy is contagious
Fact – Epilepsy is entirely a neurological disorder and does not spread by coming into contact with someone who has seizures

Myth – Epilepsy has no cure
Fact – Medication, surgery, dietary and/or other therapies have successfully helped in reducing or eliminating seizures in many epileptic patients. With proper treatment approach, most patients can lead full, productive lives.

Myth – Epilepsy is genetic
Fact – Anyone can be diagnosed with Epilepsy at any given point in life. While some people are born with this disease, there are others who are diagnosed with it for no apparent cause. Regardless of your age, sex, ethnicity or financial background, epilepsy can occur unannounced

Myth – Epilepsy affects intelligence
Fact – On average, Epileptic patients have shown to possess the same level of intelligence as a healthy human being. Learning abilities of patients can be affected only if the frequency and intensity of seizures increase

Myth – An Epileptic patient can never get married nor have kids
Fact – With the consent of both partners, it is possible for epileptic patients to marry and lead a healthy life. Also with proper pre conception counseling it is possible for an epileptic woman to conceive and have children.

Myth – During a seizure, epileptic patients sometimes swallow their own tongue.
Fact – A person having seizures may end up biting his/her tongue but is simply impossible to swallow the tongue and choke

Myth – If you’ve had a seizure, you have epilepsy
Fact – Not all seizures can be attributed to Epilepsy. Seizures can happen for other reasons, like high temperature, binge drinking, head injury etc. To be diagnosed as a case of epilepsy, the patient must have suffered at least two unprovoked seizures.

Myth – You should force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure
Fact – Please do not put anything into a person’s mouth if he/she is having a seizure as it could cause an injury. During most seizures, the person is unconscious hence incapable of safely handling foreign objects in his/her mouth.