Why Say No to Sugar?

Till some years ago, the mantra of many nutritionists was to say no to carbohydrates. However, these days the emphasis on no-carbs has reduced. And sugar has become the new forbidden food. Supermarkets offer sugar-free products and sweet shops and patisseries offer sugar-free dessert options. So is sugar really this bad for our health? But our ancestors always had sugar, didn’t they? So what went wrong…..or may we say what changed over the years?

Sugar is not poison but too much of anything is never good for you. We must treat sugar like a treat rather than an everyday necessity.

We can control the sugar we consume on a daily basis consciously. But many times we tend to eat sugar without even realising it. Packaged food is one such culprit which makes us do this. All processed food and food at fast food chains contains high amounts of sugar. Surprisingly, the things you assume will be loaded with sugar do not cause much harm. An original glazed doughnut from a popular donut chain contains only 10gms of sugar as compared to a chocolate chip cookie which is 19 gms. And both of these are much less than a glass of packaged orange juice, which has 25 gms of sugar.

Even when you think you are going to indulge in a sugary treat, you may end up consuming less sugar than you realise. A serving of high quality ice-cream has only 16 gms of sugar. But if you decide to order a fancy coffee you might end up having 58 gms of sugar. We are highly mistaken that savoury foods are free of sugar. Canned baked beans usually contain vast amounts of sugar. So do the so called healthy salads at restaurants – some are loaded with 45 gms of sugar.

The best way to watch sugar intake is to eat fresh and local. Say no to indulgent coffees and avoid eating at fast food outlets. Cooking simple meals at home is much healthier than depending on store bought canned, processed or packaged foods. And if cooking at home is an issue, there are many options available now a days to order healthy homemade tiffin meals.

How foods with added sugar are harmful:

1.   Added sugar contains no essential nutrients. It is also very bad for the teeth, because it provides easily digestible energy for the bad bacteria in the mouth.
2. For people who are inactive and eat a western diet, large amounts of fructose from added sugars get turned into fat in the liver and may cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
3. When people eat a lot of sugar, it can cause resistance to the hormone insulin, which may contribute to many diseases.
4. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is characterized by uncontrolled growth and multiplication of cells. There is considerable evidence that sugar, due to its harmful effects on metabolism, can contribute to cancer.
5. As sugar causes a large release of dopamine in the brain, it can cause addiction in a lot of people.
6. The way sugar affects hormones and the brain is a recipe for fat gain disaster. because of the effects of sugar on hormones and the brain, sugar dramatically increases the risk of becoming overweight or obese.

It is always good to keep a check on your sugar intake for a healthy self. Do avail of KDAH’s Executive Health checkups to keep a track on your health.

Its pouring since the last two days incessantly. Every season we all eagerly await the rains but they have their own woes too, especially the different forms of fever.

While most are normal viral fevers, doctors are advising caution and adequate rest to ensure that things don’t get out of hand. The sudden change in climate accompanied by a variation between the day and night temperatures are to blame for the multiplication of viruses, resulting in flu and respiratory infections.

Some common types of Fever:

• Dengue fever
  An acute viral infection dengue is acquired from the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito at daytime. Symptoms include the sudden onset of high fever that may last from two to seven days, joint and muscle pains, skin rashes, nose bleeding, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
• Leptospirosis
  This is a bacterial infection from rodents and other vermin. This is commonly transmitted through rodent bites, contaminated food and exposure to flood with urine or faeces of infected animals. Apart from open wounds, the bacteria also enters the system through the eyes, nose and mouth. Fever, muscle pain, headache and reddish eyes are some of its symptoms.
• Cholera
  A serious intestinal infection transmitted by consuming food or drinking water filled with Vibrio cholerae, a bacterium usually found in human waste. This causes watery diarrhea and vomiting, leading to severe dehydration.
• Influenza
  Also known as flu, it’s a viral infection affecting those with weak immune systems. This affects the respiratory system and triggers chills, fever, sore throat, runny nose, coughs and fatigue.
• Hepatitis A
  An ancient disease of the liver it is known to be very infectious. This can be transmitted through food and water contaminated with faeces and urine from an infected patient. Abdominal discomfort, tiredness, dark urine and fever are few signs.
• Typhoid
  An acute illness caused by Salmonellae typhi bacteria from the faecal waste of a carrier. Infected people suffer from poor appetite, headaches, diarrhea and lethargy.
• Chikungunya fever
  This is caused by the same dengue virus mosquito, Aedes aegypti which bites during the day. It can cause severe, occasionally persistent, joint pain as well as fever and rashes. Specific antiviral drugs or vaccine for treatment of chikungunya fever aren’t available.

Some things to take care during Fever:

• To avoid infections to spread do not attend college, school or office.
• Complete rest is needed to cure with plenty of fluids, water and warm food.
• Consuming only boiled water is a must.
• Watch out for any unusual condition and get tested if fever persists.
• Guard yourselves and be protected from different illnesses preventable by vaccination.
• If going out is necessary, wear a facemask or cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief in crowded places to avoid getting viruses.
• Avoid making contact with flooded areas especially when you have an open wound.
• Always feel free to get medical help without delay it he patient’s health deteriorates.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital functions with a FULL TIME SPECIALIST SYSTEM, which ensures the availability of specialists round the clock. Contact us anytime for emergencies and consultations We cater to all kind of patient issues minor and major. Please visit our website for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com

We are halfway in the rainy season and are enjoying the occasional rain showers. Some are planning treks while others are looking for leisure trips at nearby getaways. Sounds great! However, the pleasant rains have also brought along a number of monsoon related illnesses. Are you aware and cautious about them?

Some of the common illnesses visiting in monsoon:

Common cold, cough and viral fever

It is one of the biggest reasons of major absenteeism in schools as well as offices. These viruses thrive in humid conditions and easily spread too.

Things to take care:

• Maintain high levels of hygiene by washing hands frequently so you don’t spread or contract viruses through contact with people.
• Avoid staying in wet clothes, always change or keep a spare set at work.
• Boost your immunity by eating nutritious foods.

Malaria

This ailment somehow takes the top place during the rainy season. Female anopheles mosquito cause malaria by breeding in dirty water. The common symptoms of malaria are fever, shivers, muscle pain and weakness. If untreated, it can lead to more hazardous consequences.

Things to take care:

• Stagnant water acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, so ensure your neighbourhood is kept as clean as possible.
• If you need to store water at home ensure that you cover it.
• Use mosquito nets, coils or incense and skin repellents to keep away from mosquitoes.

Dengue

Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus found in certain mosquitoes. The common symptoms of dengue are fever, body aches, joint pain and rash. Keeping a check on the platelet count is needed as a low range needs urgent attention.

Things to take care:

• To avoid mosquito bites use insect repellents and cover yourself properly.

Leptospirosis

One of the most common monsoon ailments, leptospirosis is mostly caused by walking in dirty water. The chances of infection increases if you have skin injuries. This bacterial disease is spread by rats and symptoms include high fever and chills with severe headaches and body ache, followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Things to take care:

• Avoid exposing your feet to dirty, stagnant rainwater, especially if you have injuries.

Diarrhoea

This is another common ailment during monsoon, which is caused due to unhygienic consumption or handling of foods and water. When diarrhoea is caused by food contaminated with bacteria or parasites, it is often referred to this as food poisoning.

Things to take care:

• Avoid eating at unhygienic places and consuming uncovered foods.
• Maintain proper hygiene, wash hands before handling food and drink only boiled water.

We generally tend to self medicate at times and ignore poor health symptoms. However it is best to consult a doctor immediately. Do check our below link for appointments, contact number and various doctor details. We cater to all kind of patient issues minor and major.

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/patients/makeanappointment.html

So be safe this monsoon by taking some small precautions. Happy Rains!

So the rain gods have given us a glimpse a few days back….but we are all wait patiently for them to return in full form. Aren’t we? We have had enough of the sweltering summer months. And all we look forward to now are the cool breezy monsoon evenings, walks in drizzles and yes the occasional heavy downpours. Sounds wonderful right?

We have all have some great monsoon memories as kids which we still reminisce. And yes, we have many stories also to share. But what about today’s kids? Somehow kids have a lot of restrictions and a different set of rules to follow then elders. Let’s not be over protective and just follow some basic monsoon care for kids. Let them enjoy the rains, splash the puddles and float paper boats, a great way to reclaim their childhood in this tech savvy times.

We agree that along with the monsoon fun comes contaminated water , cold and fever, infections and the occasional flooding . As children have low immunity levels they are more susceptible to these ailments. But a little care can balance the monsoon fun and the health risks.

Here are a few monsoon friendly tips for kids:

• The first rains come with air borne viral infections. Increase your child’s immunity with more doses of fruits rich in Vitamin C. Include herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, tulsi, oregano in your daily cooking to enhance the immunity.
• Home food is the best food in the rains. Outside food is avoidable as it increases chances of stomach pain, diarrhea and even food poisoning. Make your child’s favourite dishes at home.
• To avoid infections use only boiled drinking water for children. Also, water needs to be boiled the right way, once bubbles appear continue boiling for four minutes at least before switching off the gas.
• Has your child got drenched in the rains? That’s okay, but make sure it is followed by a hot water bath. A warm cup of turmeric milk or a soup is also very comforting and acts against catching cold.
• Always ensure that your child’s feet are dry and the socks if soaked must be removed immediately.
• Prepare for an insect proof home to enjoy the monsoon. Citronella oil, camphor and clove are effective natural remedies for mosquitoes.
• The rains outside does not mean less fluids inside the body. Children should drink sufficient liquids to stay hydrated even in the monsoons.

So let the rain not dampen your spirits, just a little bit of care and you are rain ready!

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.