Archive for 2016

Tips to prevent a Heat Stroke

Wednesday, April 20th, 2016

Summer is accompanied by a plethora of health problems because it makes the human body susceptible to infections, viruses and bacteria within the environment.

In the past few weeks, Mumbai along with several metropolitan cities has seen a tremendous rise in temperature. This unbearable weather condition has not only drained us out completely but also debilitated our immune system.

One of the most frequently reported health issues in recent times, Heat stroke or Heat stress is a serious kind of hyperthermia that is triggered when the human body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. When a person’s core body temperature rises above 40.5C, the body’s vital organs are affected radically thereby resulting in complete shutdown of his/her internal systems.

Read the signs that your body may be giving you and take notice of any visible changes in the way your body functions.

  • Muscle cramps can be a primary symptom of heat-related illness which can further develop into heat exhaustion or heat stroke
  • High body temperature (above 103°F)
  • Rapid pulse
  • Red & dry skin
  • Possible blackout

If prolonged, Heat stoke can trigger dangerous, even deadly, health consequences. Take these steps to prevent a heat stroke during hot weather

  • When the heat index is high, make sure that your body is hydrated. During summer, we tend to sweat more as compared to any other season; consequently the body tends to lose vital minerals through sweat. These minerals have to be replaced; otherwise the body may experience heat exhaustion and cramps. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Keep sipping water between regular intervals in order to avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and limit the intake of caffeine and alcohol. Extremely chilled drinks can cause stomach cramps, therefore keep away from the same. Avoid taking certain medications which can have a subsequent impact on the body’s ability to stay hydrated.
  • Avoid direct exposure to the sun. If you have no other choice but to visit places with extremely high temperatures, wear sunglasses, hat and sunscreen before stepping out in the sun. Use an umbrella to protect yourself from hot winds and take frequent breaks in the shade
  • While travelling outdoors, wear a light shaded, loose-fitting outfit that allows your body to breathe. Putting on clothes that don’t fit you will not allow your body to cool down in hot weather conditions.
  • Even a few hours of cooling can prove to be highly beneficial for your body especially on days when the outdoor temperature is on its peak. If your home is not air-conditioned, take a stroll to the nearest mall or watch a movie. You can also keep your body cool by taking quick showers 2 to 3 times a day
  • Try to schedule strenuous activities/physical workout during the cooler parts of the day like early morning or late evening. Take frequent breaks and use this time to replenish your body by drinking lots of fluids. Do not exercise for longer duration of time unless your body is accustomed to high temperature. Limit your workout time and don’t overstress your body.

Summer Special: Natural Coolants for the Body

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

Sweltering heat in our environment has already started to take its toll on stray animals; it’s only a matter of time before it affects the human health. With rising mercury levels and weather conditions turning hot & sultry, it’s time to take necessary steps to keep your body cool.

Beat the heat and keep summer ailments at bay with these Natural Coolants

Cucumber – 96% of this veggie is water which makes it the perfect summer food to prevent dehydration. The good news here is that you can incorporate cucumbers in your diet regime in multiple ways. Tuck it in your sandwich, add it to your salad plate or simply have it plain with a dash of salt & pepper. Cucumber juice and soups are healthy too

Melons belong to the same family as cucumbers and squash. Owing to its high electrolyte content, this delicious fruit is known to keep the body temperature cool and sufficiently hydrated at all times.

Kokum – Rich in anti-oxidants, Kokum has a cooling effect on the body and is also beneficial for the Liver. What’s more…it protects the body from dehydration & sunstroke and is also a remedy for diarrhea and many allergic reactions.

Cardamom – One of the most popular Indian spices, Cardamom has excellent detoxifying properties that are known to keep the body cool from within even during the hottest weather conditions

Watermelon – This delicious, juicy fruit has 95% water content. A bowl full of watermelon cubes works like a charm on hot sunny days but avoid having these at the roadside vendors.

Barley water – Loaded with vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorous, manganese and copper, Barley water not only strengthens the immune system but also promotes bone health and helps in the formation of hemoglobin–which is needed to produce red blood cells. What’s more…it also brings down the heat content in the body

Curd – A powerhouse of protein, Curd can be used for preparing several summer drinks like buttermilk, lassi, chaas, flavored yoghurt etc. It gives your stomach, a cooling sensation and equips the body with essential Probiotics, vitamins and minerals that are often lost due to excessive perspiration

Radish – This nutritious vegetable is loaded with potassium, Vitamin B6, riboflavin, folic acid, magnesium, calcium and copper. Radish also contains antioxidants that tones down the body heat and prevents heat stress.

Coconut water – Natural electrolytes in Coconut water benefits the body by replacing the fluid loss and what’s more… it is fat-free and has a refreshing taste which makes it the perfect beverage for summer season.

Sweet toddy (Neera) – Packed with essential vitamins, amino acids and minerals like potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron, Neera, also known as sweet toddy or palm nectar is a natural detox drink with a refreshing taste. 100 ml of Neera provides 75 calories of energy and 250 mg of proteins. What’s more… it keeps the body cool from within and aids digestion

Tadgolas – Also known as Ice apples, Tadgolas act as natural coolants for the body. Having them regularly during summer is a tasty way to battle heat exhaustion & fatigue. Apart from treating various stomach ailments and digestive problems, Ice apples also help in stabilizing the glucose levels and maintaining a healthy body weight.

World Health Day Special – Lesser known facts about Diabetes

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

Today, Diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined. With alarmingly high percentage of diabetic patients reported each year, India is on its way to becoming the diabetes capital of the world.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that triggers high blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. Although diabetic patients can lead a normal life, uncontrolled diabetes can cause serious long-term complications. The saddest fact about this medical condition is that it cannot be cured, it can only be managed to make you feel better.

This year’s theme for World Health Day calls for a renewed focus on Diabetes, its prevention, control & treatment

With regards to the same, let’s unveil a few lesser known facts about Diabetes

  • It is reported that, in approximately 50% of cases Diabetes doesn’t show obvious symptoms in patients, which is why it is termed as a silent-killer.
  • Diabetes can have one or multiple causes. Genetic makeup, family history, ethnicity, health and environmental factors play an important role in the detection of this disease
  • Research indicates that in approximately 90% of cases, unhealthy eating habits are the possible triggers for Diabetes. Eating a wholesome breakfast reduces the chances of Type 2 diabetes. Try to avoid sweetened beverages, fried and prepackaged food items.
  • Experts also believe that people with a sedentary lifestyle double their risk of diabetes and several cardio vascular illnesses owing to raised sugar/cholesterol levels and insulin readings. 2minute walk around the office every half an hour can actually help you keep diabetes at bay. These brief walkabouts at your work place can save you from the misery of diabetes in the long run.
  • Sometimes this medical condition causes a significant amount of damage to the capillaries and blood vessels of the eyes, resulting in blurred vision and even or complete blindness in extreme cases. Conditions like cataracts and glaucoma can be aggravated by diabetes, but the most common issue is diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease)
  • Those diagnosed with severe Diabetes should frequently check their blood sugar levels. If a patient’s blood sugar level shoots up significantly (hyperglycemia) or falls too low (hypoglycemia), he/she could fall into a diabetic coma.
  • Diabetes can also cause complications during pregnancy.
  • Diabetic patients to stay away from Alcohol. While moderate amounts of alcohol can shoot-up the blood sugar levels, excess alcohol can actually decrease them – sometimes causing it to drop to dangerous levels.
  • Diabetes can sometimes develop during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy causes the blood sugar levels to increase which triggers gestational diabetes in some women. In most cases, after giving birth, the pregnancy hormones and the blood sugar levels subside, alleviating diabetes in the process.
  • Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure in the world.

In the absence of timely detection and treatment, diabetes can virtually damage all organs of the body. Featuring a wide range of relevant medical tests, The Basic Diabetes Package at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is designed to diagnose & treat such complications at the right time.

Health Hazards of Excessive TV Viewing

Wednesday, March 30th, 2016

People blame a hectic work schedule for missing out on their daily workout but somehow make time to watch the television every day without fail.

With hundreds of channels featuring a variety of entertainment programs, it has become next to impossible for people to maintain a safe distance from Television. Anything in excess is bad for health and this saying is also applicable to an individual’s TV viewing time.

Did you know…?

Experts believe that every hour spent watching television cuts down the viewer’s life by 22 minutes. What’s more…some researchers are also of the view that watching too much TV is as dangerous as smoking

In addition to causing vision-related problems, spending several hours in front of the idiot box makes a person highly vulnerable to cardio-vascular diseases, obesity, diabetes and hypertension – all of which are linked to lack of exercise. With every 2 hours of TV viewed each day, the risk of Diabetes and Obesity is increased by 14% and 23% respectively

Sitting in a certain position for a long time also paves way for spine related problems that often result in acute back ache. While watching television, a person often remains inactive at a stretch for several hours. This puts the body’s metabolic functions on hold. Lack of physical activity causes the lungs & heart to work slowly resulting in very little blood being pumped through the system. This allows fats and cholesterol to build up in the arteries. When this happens, an individual becomes highly susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

Chronic TV watchers often end up missing out on a lot of sleep and experience extreme fatigue throughout the day.

Television viewing has turned out to be a major sedentary behavior that is threatening the lives of many. Studies conducted on this subject have revealed that watching television in excess can change the structure of a child’s brain in a way that it tends to lower their verbal intelligence

Another study has further insinuated that watching television for 5 or more hours a day could increase the risk of developing a blockage within the artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs – a condition also known as ‘Pulmonary embolism’

With these findings and Cricket Matches in full swing, it is highly crucial to keep a close watch on the amount of time you and your loved ones spend in front of the Idiot box.

Holi Special – Tips to Prevent Skin & Hair Damage

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016

It’s that time of the year when watery splashes and powdered colors seem to be a common sighting across the country.

Did you know…?

In olden days, Holi was played with vegetable colors but these days most kinds of water colors & pastes contain toxic compounds (used in the base of engine oils) that can easily trigger acute skin allergies as well as temporary blindness.

Lack of knowledge and information about synthetic colors is one of the prime reasons that trigger hair & skin problems post Holi celebrations. Chemical and metallic colors are health hazards and highly capable of causing skin and hair allergies. Instead of using colors that contain harmful chemicals, you can opt for natural colors such as henna, turmeric, marigold flowers, tomatoes and tea leaves for a safe and skin-friendly Holi.

Soak in the colors of Holi, but before you do that, spare a few minutes to think about the effect of colors on your skin and hair.

Safe colors are duly certified by relevant authorities and carry all product information clearly on the product packaging. Red & Pink colors come off easily as compared to Green, Orange or Purple which are gaudy colors and contain harsh chemicals.

Chemical colors can cause severe damage to the skin. Apply a generous proportion of Vaseline or Mustard/Olive/Coconut oil to the exposed areas of your skin before and after Holi celebrations. It acts as a protective shield and guards the skin to some extent from the damaging effects of synthetic colors. Do not forget to apply a good quality moisturizer to your face before stepping out. If you are planning to go for a short haircut, a few days before Holi could be the best time to get that perfect makeover

Drink plenty of water to replenish the skin which tends to become dry after coming in contact with the toxins used in artificial colors. Wear long sleeved tops and full length bottoms to protect your skin.

Get a relaxing head massage with a good quality hair oil. Oiling the hair prevents Holi colors from sticking on to the strands thereby reducing hair damage. Apart from this precautionary measure, it would also be a good idea to cover up your hair with a scarf, cap, hat or bandana just to offer extra protection from colors that contain hard-to-rinse dyes. Avoid keeping your hair open while playing with colors.

For removing these colors it is best to use a mild cleanser as compared to soaps which can trigger dryness or skin irritation

Do not apply make up while playing Holi as the colors can easily stick with cosmetics and cause subsequent skin damage.

Try not to undergo any cosmetic procedure for atleast 7-10 days after Holi if the color remains on the skin.

Every year, Holi gives us colorful memories to cherish for a lifetime. These precautionary measures will ensure that your hair and skin remain unharmed during & after the celebrations.