Everyday Tips for Cancer Prevention

Winter is a fantastic time to enjoy the weather outside. Dry and frosty climate instigates a plethora of health issues like cough, cold, pneumonia and acute bronchitis. What’s more… as the temperature drops, the possibility of our appetites spinning out of control increases. You may not have noticed but certain behavioral changes are triggered during this season.

In addition to lazy mornings and blanket hideouts, winter also brings with it an array of bad habits that have to be avoided in order to stay healthy.

Swear off these bad habits and promote winter health

• Not drinking enough water – Since people tend to sweat less during winter, they feel less thirsty thus resulting in reduced consumption of water. Experts believe that regardless of seasonal changes, the human body requires atleast 2 litres of water a day in order to stay hydrated. That being said, it is equally important to reduce the intake of caffeinated beverages during winter as it tends to extract water from the body. You may enjoy sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee when its cold outside but less water & more caffeine could prove to be a recipe for disaster during winter.
• Avoiding exercise – Getting out of bed during winter often seems to be a challenging task, not to mention the mere thought of exercising, going for a morning walk/jog or hitting the gym when it’s freezing outside could give you the creeps. It is important to note that any form of workout releases happy hormones that helps you stay active for most part of the day. Your winters will not be gloomy if you include some or the other form of physical activity in your daily schedule.
• Satisfying untimely hunger pangs – Untimely hunger pangs suddenly seem to spike up during winter and unfortunately most people fail to resist the temptation for fat/fried/junk food. It is essential to be more watchful about your weight during this season as most people turn to comfort food in an attempt to beat the winter chill. Having more of starchy sweets could give you momentary pleasure but this indulgence spikes the blood sugar levels, leaving your body struggling with the stress to handle the excess glucose. One way to stay healthy during winters is to eat more fresh/seasonal produce, fruits and vegetables
• Staying indoors – Frosty weather often compels people to spend most of their time indoors. People rarely feel the urge to leave their home and go outside for a stroll when the best thing they could do to warm up the body is soak up some winter sun
• Sleeping in excess – Sleep is actually the best way to recharge the batteries of your body but as experts say, excess of anything is bad for health. The cold weather naturally makes you lethargic which is why people end up spending more time in bed. It is important to note that sleeping too much during winter disrupts the normal sleep-wake cycle which is why it is detrimental to your overall well being
• Having long hot showers – Long hot showers are soothing and could give the desired effect of warming up the body during winter but it is important to know that hot water dries and damages the skin leaving it dry, scaly and itchy at times. Switch to lukewarm water instead and do not forget to apply a good quality moisturizer after every shower, while your skin is still semi-wet. This will help in keeping the moisture intact.
• Over consumption of alcoholic beverages – Most people believe that enjoying a drink or two is the perfect way to beat the winter chill but as per recent findings, excess consumption of alcoholic beverages lowers the core body temperature hence is bad for the overall health. This isn’t the only bad thing about drinking alcohol when it’s cold outside.  Another study indicates that drinking alcohol in cold weather also reduces the body’s ability and tendency to shiver, taking away yet another method your body uses to help keep warm when it is cold.
• Omitting sunscreen – 80% of women’s wrinkles is caused by excessive sun exposure. As compared to any other season, UVA rays during wintertime are almost equally intense during daylight hours.  Apply a generous portion of sunscreen and cover up the exposed areas of your skin before stepping out in the sun.
• Practicing Self-medication too often – The habit of popping cough & cold medicines like dietary supplements isn’t good for the overall health. Although these drugs may give you temporary relief from your symptoms, they harm the immune system to a large extent.

Every year we promise to bring a positive change in our lifestyle but rarely manage to keep up with it. In the year 2016, let’s shift our focus on heart health and shelter it against potential dangers.

During winter months, the Heart has to work harder in order to maintain body heat. What’s more… there’s also something about the holiday season that takes a toll on the heart

Did you know…?

During the average human lifetime, the heart beats roughly 2.5 billion times. Such a hard-working muscle definitely deserves a little extra attention. Don’t you think…?

A healthy heart is a happy heart. Here are five things you can do every day to keep your heart healthy:

Never skip your breakfast – According to a new study, starting the day off with a healthy meal not only gives the body sufficient energy to carry out day-to-day activities but is also known to reduce the risk of a heart disease

Get Moving – Stay heart healthy by including some form of physical activity in your daily routine. Just 30 minutes of workout, three or more times a week will shed those extra pounds and promote better functioning of the heart

Make smart food choices – Preventing heart disease isn’t just about avoiding unhealthy food items. Your diet should also include foods that are rich in nutrients, fiber, and healthy fats. Most fruits & vegetables, nuts, seeds, & legumes, whole grains, like brown rice and other unrefined carbs are good for your heart

Quit smoking – Experts believe that smokers are 3 times more likely to die from Heart Disease as compared to Nonsmokers. Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and accelerates the process of hardening the arteries. People who smoke tobacco are at risk for several cancers, heart/lung diseases, circulatory disease and stroke.

Manage your weight – Excess body weight increases your risk for heart disease, among other disorders

Cut back on junk food, oily/greasy munchies, sugar-laden drinks, salty food items and nibbles that are high in saturated or Trans fats. The key is to reduce your portion size of every meal and consume 4 to 5 small-sized meals throughout the day

Sleep like a baby – Sleep is the body’s way of healing and refueling. Sleep deprivation has shown to have a disastrous impact on the overall health, not to mention the pressure it puts on your heart. Researchers believe that lack of sleep raises the risk of developing or dying from heart disease and stroke

De-stress/ Take a break – Over 90% of diseases are caused or complicated by stress. A stressful relationship or a highly demanding job could be doing more than just wearing you down each day. It could also be increasing your chances of having a variety of serious medical conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. One way to de-stress is by signing up for a hobby class or indulging in some or the other form of recreational and fun activity.

Find more reasons to smile – Research shows that laughter reduces stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, boosts immune system and even gives the body a fun and enjoyable cardio and abdominal workout.

Reduce your alcohol intake – Excessive consumption of alcohol accelerates the heart rate and increases blood pressure which in turn doubles the risk of a heart disease.

Schedule a periodic health test – Do not let your health take a backseat. Getting tested regularly will not only keep a tab on your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar etc. but also give you a better understanding of your current heart health

The weather has become extremely unpredictable and full of surprises. In the past few weeks, the city has witnessed acute climatic fluctuations that shift from extremely hot and sunny afternoon to cool and pleasant evenings. In the midst of these climatic variations, what’s undeniable is the fact that winter is soon approaching. Even though you may feel like chilling out & enjoying the weather during the colder months, make sure you do not neglect your health in the process. Protect yourself from potential winter health hazards

• As the cold weather sets in, people suffering from upper and lower respiratory problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma endure a lot of discomfort which often leads to medical emergencies. Keeping the body warm during winter months is therefore extremely important.Tip – Cover-up your body the moment you feel cold. Don’t wait till you start shivering. It is recommended to wear, gloves, socks, scarves, woolen hat and/or anything that keeps your body warm & comfortable.
  Winter has long been associated with sickness. Experts advise people to get their routine vaccinations and periodic tests in order to diagnose a viral infection or any other winter ailment that’s about to strike.
• Seasonal changes are accompanied with several bacterial infections to which the elderly and children are highly susceptible. In addition to lazy mornings and blanket hideouts, winter also brings with it an array of diseases which can be prevented with a healthy immune system.Tip – Fill-up your grocery bag with lots of fresh fruits & veggies, especially those that are rich in Vitamin A, C & E. A strong immune system, safeguards the body from a host of winter ailments
• In cold weather, the body circulates less blood to the peripheral areas in order to conserve warm blood around the heart. This leads to stiffening of joints, thereby resulting in aches & pains. Osteoarthritis patients with Vitamin D deficiency also have an extremely hard time during wintry months.Tip – Vitamin D plays an important role in the production of cartilage and helps the body absorb calcium, thereby strengthening the bones. During winter, it is less likely to get sufficient amounts of vitamin D from the natural environment hence follow a Vitamin D rich diet. You can also count on Vitamin D supplements
• Also known as the winter vomiting bug, Norovirus is an extremely infectious stomach bug that is known to be very active in cold weather. Young children and the senior citizens are at a high riskTip – Constant vomiting and diarrhea increases the risk of dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and rest sufficiently
• Heart attacks seem to be very common during the winter months because cold snaps increase blood pressure and put more strain on the heart.Tip – Keep your body warm as much as you can
• Harsh winter winds can be devastating for your skin, making it dull, dry & cracked.Tip – Do not forget to moisturize your skin on a daily basis. The best time to apply a moisturizer is after a bath while the skin is still moist. It is best to avoid bathing with extremely hot water as doing so can take away the natural moisturizers from the skin.

Heavy unseasonal rains have been pounding over various parts of Tamil Nadu and neighboring Puducherry causing flood like situation and throwing life out of gear.

Did you know…?

Flooding can trigger a host of health issues for the general population, sometimes even resulting in death and injury. Other potential outcomes include contaminated drinking water, dangerous material spills, increased population of disease-carrying insects and bugs, dingy houses, and public disturbance

Mumbai was also caught off-guard when heavy rains lashed in different parts of the city on Saturday, last week. Experts at the weather office have predicted a certain amount of rain showers to continue in different parts of the country. Although these unexpected showers have caused a slight temperature drop, it has also exposed us to a host of illnesses. Unseasonal rainfall caught many regular commuters off guard. With no defense, people had no choice but to get wet in the rains resulting in an increase in the cases of viral fever.

Abrupt climate change impacts our health and wellbeing. It not only worsens several existing diseases and conditions, but also opens the door for new pests and pathogens to enter our environment. Climate change in the form of unseasonal rainfall also affects the air movement and quality thus promoting the growth of airborne allergens and pollution which causes significant damage to the human health. Another aspect of unseasonal rainfall is the damage caused to the crops resulting in food contamination and shortage.

People who are the most affected and highly vulnerable to diseases due to natural climate fluctuations are children, elderly and the ailing population. The underprivileged section of our society is also affected severely as a result of unexpected changes in the temperature levels

Dry climate before the recent spell of unseasonal rainfall can be conducive for virus growth. Experts believe, rapid fluctuation in temperature initiates an influx of virus which triggers upper respiratory infection

What’s more… pollution and water accumulation in potholes caused by heavy rainfall could add to the mosquito menace thus increasing the risk of illnesses like Swine flu, Dengue and Malaria

Since past few years, unexpected climate changes have been occurring at an increasingly rapid rate. Climatic change that shifts from high levels of heat during the day to heavy rainfall at night may make conditions ripe for disease spread. Such changes have to be actively supervised with co-ordinated responses in all aspects of their impacts on human society, including health.