Hepatitis can knock your health! It’s closer than you think

In 2008 the World Hepatitis Alliance launched the World Hepatitis Day to focus for patient and people living with hepatitis B and C. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the disease, its facets and usher in some real change in preventing the disease and increasing access to testing and treatment. With huge support from governments worldwide, NGOs and international bodies like Médecins Sans Frontières, the World Health Assembly of May 2010 agreed to recognize World Hepatitis Day on 28 July.

Almost 1 in every 12 people lives with hepatitis B or C. If left untreated/unmanaged it will lead to severe liver scarring, maybe even liver failure or cancer. People worry more about HIV/AIDS but the fact is that every year some 1.5 million people worldwide die from either hepatitis B or C and that too way faster than they would from HIV/AIDS.

World Hepatitis Day provides a scope to focus on actions like spreading awareness to strengthen prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases, increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage, and coordinating a strong global response to increase awareness and ensure treatment of hepatitis.

The different type of Hepatitis viruses- A, B, C, D and E cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis is a major global health risk and affects some 350 million people who are infected with hepatitis B and some 170 million people infected with hepatitis C.

 

The 2012 theme is “This is hepatitis… It’s closer than you think” The disease does not discriminate- against age, race or gender, economic status, nothing so just confront it – get yourself tested. You can prevent Hepatitis A with safe food habits like avoiding cut fruits, street side juices, clean drinking water and such simple steps. A 2011 study showed over 42 million Indians suffer from chronic hepatitis B infection and vaccination profiles are shockingly lows. July 28 is just a commemoration – make every other day a day against the dreaded virus and only then will it be controlled.

Are you at risk to trigger anemia?

Anemia is basically a decrease in number of red blood cells or presence of less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The condition includes reduced oxygen binding of hemoglobin in the blood. The condition is prevalent in India – some studies suggest that Indian women are prone to anemia and even the urban, educated women are susceptible to anemia. The condition may be severe, long lasting, and life threatening based upon hemoglobin levels in the blood with specific medical causes and traits, some of these include Iron-deficiency anemia, Folic acid deficiency anemia, Pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency), Aplastic anemia, Sickle cell anemia, Polycythemia vera and Trauma related anemia (mainly injured in a vehicle accidents). Nevertheless, it can be traced back to the food habit of Indian society. 

The statistics are shocking. A National Health Survey revealed that more than half the pregnant women in India are anemic. What is worse is that the percentage has increased from the 1990s. The National Family Health Survey dated 2005-06 (released recently) places India at 58.7% of anemic pregnant women as opposed to 49.7% in 1998-99. When the pattern in married women was studied, the trend was the same, but urban India women fared better than its rural counterpart at 50.9% as against 57.4% respectively. 

Scientists are doing their bit. Scientists at the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar in Gujarat have developed double fortified salt, which they believe will be a boon for those suffering from iron deficiency or anemia. But the key to beat anemia is a good diet.

Some simple dietary steps would help prevent/cure most forms of anemia:

• Consume adequate quantity of protein; include cheese, milk, eggs, fish or any substitute of meat products.
• Eat foods rich in iron like green leafy vegetables, plantain, lotus stem, puffed rice, whole grain cereals.
• Consume food rich in vitamin B complex, particularly B6 like whole grain cereals, parboiled rice, liver, milk etc.
• Include citrus fruits such as amla, guava, green pepper, orange and lemon in your diet.
• Include liver oil, fortified vegetable oil, sea foods for Vitamin E.
• Ensure intake of foods rich in folic acid like pulses, green leafy vegetables, legumes and eggs.

As the typical Indian diet may not be ‘complete’ consult your doctor for supplements and fortified foods. If you have symptoms like feeling dizzy, fatigued, shortness of breath, weakness – it may be anemia. When was your last general health checkup or blood test done? Being aware about anemia is the first step to prevent it.

Reduce Weight the Natural Way

You have tried dieting, joined a slimming club, tried staying active and have surreptitiously mulled about the fashionable 'quick-fix' solution to lose weight. Did you know women are the main buyers of low-cal and low-fat food products and supplements? I’m not stating this to give you a complex. Stop and think for a moment. Are you taking the right route to weight loss?

For that you need to know your ideal weight. It is estimated that a BMI of 25-30 is normal anything lower or higher is unhealthy. The tables of ideal height to wealth ratio at fitness sites help but they are not sacrosanct. For some, muscle mass will weigh more than fat. Find out your correct Body Mass Index (BMI) before going for that fantastic ‘lose 10 kgs in 10 days’ Ads.

You need to eat if you want to lose weight. Truly. The lesser you eat the more your body stores fat. Eat smaller but frequent meals for higher metabolism. When we say we want to lose weight we actually mean we want to lose fat. That’s why these rapid weight loss fads often make the dieter ill rather than lean and fit. Crash diets can make your body low on energy and cause you high cravings for fatty, oily, spicy and sugary stuffs. And when you surrender at last and devour those foods, you are sure to eat more calories than you require, leading to weight gain.

What you need is foods high in nutrition and low in calories (not below 2400Kcal, the required calories for average women). Vitamin & mineral supplements may help but do consult your doctor before embarking on a regime. Milk, whole-grain cereals, fruits, veggies and nuts are rich sources of B-Complex, crucial to dieters. Chromium and Zinc are two important mineral that help your body process sugar and keep your weight in control. Fresh papaya drizzled with honey and lemon is a good source of such fat burning minerals. 

The golden mantra is, consume lesser calories than you burn and you will lose fat… err weight. And of course there is no real instant weight loss formula. Dietary changes need to be gradual & steady. Avoid refined and processed food in favor of rougher foods rich in fiber. Cut back on sugars and sweeteners like corn syrups that is equally bad. Taking your time for eating instead of gobbling will ensure that you eat the right portion.

Are We For Population Freedom Or Population Control..!!

“Talking about population doesn’t mean control. It’s not about dictating how many children someone should have. It is about being knowledgeable about the decisions we’re making so we can make healthy decisions for a better future.” Says, Katie Elmore at Population Media Center

Every year on July 11, the United Nations World Population Day aims to raise awareness about population related issues since 1989.

The theme for 2012 is “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services”. The UNFPA vision aims for a world where every pregnancy is wanted, and every child’s potential is fulfilled. The ultimate aim of universal access to reproductive health by 2015 seems far away but we are progressing. Reproductive health related problems are the leading cause of illness and death for women of childbearing age worldwide.

Have a look at the UN estimates. They are staggering!

The figures are depressing. However it brings to fore how unsuccessful we have been in providing the very basic healthcare options globally. All the trumpets of development elucidated time and again with data and figures will ring hollow unless the basic is ensured for everyone. But even before that, people must know about their bodies, about the choices available to them and only a healthy mother today will ensure a healthy generation tomorrow.

Planned education including education on sexual and reproductive health would go a long way in empowering people to make the right choices about issues like marriage, family planning etc. A simple fact is that if women bear children before the age of say 20 or 21 then chances of a healthy offspring decreases dramatically. Knowledge itself does not heal, it empowers decision making.

Stroke’s No Joke; How can you help?

Surprisingly and distressingly, stroke statistics in women are mounting. Changes in lifestyle like odd shifts, high pressure jobs, changed diets with more of processed foods on your plate… all these have brought the modern woman into the purview of various lifestyle diseases including stroke, which is the deadliest of all for it attacks the brain.

You’ll be astounded if you know how easy it is to read the signs of stroke. Thousands of deaths and cases of disability can be avoided if the symptoms are recognized & treated immediately. Yes, even you can prevent one. A stroke is a crisis that calls for urgent medical attention. Stroke happens when brain cells deprived of oxygen, leading to irreparable harm within 3 hrs. Nevertheless, it can be stopped if you can get up the blood circulation again. Hence identifying the symptoms of stroke and calling for an ambulance is vital. The sooner he/she gets hospitalized, the better their chances of a speedy recovery.

9 in 10 strokes can be picked up by the F.A.S.T technique, affirm the doctors. Quick action can put a stop to more brain damage and help the patient to recover completely. It is a fact that much of the consequences like death, paralysis, memory loss & speech problems are due to delayed treatment.

Driving along the right Skinway

Ever been besieged by all those cosmetic ads that claim to make your skin better or fairer overnight? But before smothering it with all the creams and lotions you’ve purchased, have you ever asked your skin what it wants?

Skin is your sure shot defense when the outer world takes the hit. Heat, dust, grime, sweat, exposure to sunlight, dry air-conditioned rooms etc, all take a toll on your skin gradually. The skin loses its glow & flexibility which  of course heals by itself but only to an extent.

Take a look at a person’s skin, and you can almost predict her lifestyle. Adequate rest with 7-8 hours of good sleep can’t be replaced with any skincare products because your body repairs your tissues while you sleep. Stay hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily. An oft-repeated one, yes! But do follow this; water is free after all.

And stress and wrinkles are made for each other. Screaming to get something done, managing kids with house chores, handling the office’s handful of deadlines etc are unavoidable. But practicing a good relaxation technique will help. Have some me-time in a week without clouding it with guilt. A healthy diet clubbed with physical activities is the best way to beat stress and keep your glow. Include fresh veggies and fruits, lots of them for the summer and the mirror will reflect some pleasant truths for a change.

Your skin gets less elastic with age and with over exposure to daily pollutants like dust, grime, harsh sunlight etc. Try an anti-aging product (without harsh chemicals) that suits you. Visiting a spa that provides skin rejuvenation therapy is a good idea. Please don’t be stingy in this as most cheap deals are likely to be dubious.

Frankly speaking pigmentation is better avoided as it is almost irreversible and can only be ‘lightened’ using harsh chemical peels and scrubs. Chewing a sugarless gum is a gratifying way to tone up your facial muscles. If you’re trained in any Indian classical dance, you may know more about these facial exercises and the difference they’ll make to your face.

Soft mood-lifting music, aromatherapy etc. are soothing and can aid in having and maintaining flawless skin. This is not exactly modern; but a combination of modern science, age-old natural methods and good old common sense, known to work. Why don’t you give it a shot?