Tag: health

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-Top News COVID-19

Heath expert urges people to wear mask ‘even at home’

He urged people not to invite anyone home. “Please don’t invite anyone to your home. This is not the time to do so. Take all possible care within the home. Protect yourselves and your family members,” Paul said…reports Asian Lite News.

Niti Aayog’s member health, Dr V K Paul, on Monday urged people not to venture out unnecessarily and wear masks at home also. Speaking at a Union Health Ministry press conference Paul said, “Please wear a mask, do not go out unnecessarily. Stay with your family. Even within the family wear the mask.”

Guidelines to Weddings in times of COVID:19.

He urged people not to invite anyone home. “Please don’t invite anyone to your home. This is not the time to do so. Take all possible care within the home. Protect yourselves and your family members,” Paul said.

Referring to studies, Joint Secretary Union Health Ministry, Luv Aggarwal said, “By not following physical distancing one infected person could infect 406 people in 30 days. Reducing physical exposure by 50 percent, one person can only infect 15 people in 30 days. Reducing the physical exposure by 75 percent, one infected person can only infect 2.5 people in 30 days.”

He said that people must understand the importance of following Covid appropriate behavior in controlling and managing the infection. He pointed out that a mask coupled with physical distancing can lower the transmission risk. “Both a Covid infected person and uninfected person not wearing a mask or maintaining physical distance have 90 percent risk of virus transmission. There is a 30 percent risk of transmission when the infected person is not wearing a mask and the infected person is wearing a mask. There is a medium risk (five percent) of transmission when an infected person is wearing the mask and uninfected is not wearing,” Aggarwal said.

He stated: “Transmission risk becomes low (1.5 percent) when both the people are wearing the mask. There is a negligible or lowest risk when both (infected and uninfected person) is wearing a mask and maintaining a physical distance of six feet.”

Dr Paul clarified that women can take the Covid vaccine during their menstrual cycle. “Yes, women can and should take the vaccine during the menstrual cycle. There is no reason to postpone the vaccination,” he Paul said.

The Member (Health), NITI Aayog Dr. Vinod K. Paul along with the Director, AIIMS, Dr. Randeep Guleria addressing a press conference on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19, in New Delhi on April 26, 2021. The Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar and the Joint Secretary, MoHFW, Shri Lav Agarwal are also seen. (PIB)

AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that unnecessary panic among people is creating a rush at hospitals, shortage of drugs and oxygen. “Unnecessary panic causing rush outside hospitals, shortage of essential drugs and oxygen. Misuse of oxygen is a major factor. If the saturation is 94 percent or above, then there’s no need to worry,” Guleria added.

Aggarwal said, “Maharashtra has the highest active caseload with 7,00,207 active cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Most of the states have crossed their highest reported daily cases during September last year.”

The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan interacting with the media persons after inspecting the addition of 500 Oxygenated Beds at the Sardar Patel COVID Care Centre & Hospital, in Chhatarpur, New Delhi on April 24, 2021. (Pallav Paliwal)

“Eight states — Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu — have more than 100,000 active Covid-19 cases,” he said.

He explained that the union government is working on three strategies to contain the virus spread — Containment, Clinical Management, and Community Engagement — across the country.

Also Read-1k people fined for not wearing masks

Read More-Are We Wearing Masks Properly?

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Food Lite Blogs

Be healthier with a smart lifestyle

These uncertain times have encouraged us to take a pause, be grateful and enjoy each moment as it comes…writes Siddhi Jain.

Work from home has become a common routine or lifestyle. The work-from-home routine in 2020 brought many families closer as they found themselves under the same roof for an extended period of time. As curfews restrict movement and people have to home shelter, setting health goals can help you achieve wellness as a family while you stay safe.

Madhuri Ruia, nutritionist and Pilates expert shares how you can become each other’s cheerleaders by encouraging a healthier, happier lifestyle:

Invest in indoor fitness tools

The lockdown has turned up the heat on indoor fitness, pushing everyone to strive for a healthier way of living. Investing together in online fitness classes or even props like resistance bands and dumbbells is the perfect way for you and your siblings to stay on top of your fitness routine. Motivate each other daily and take consistency to another level by following the habit-forming 21/90 rule. This will not only boost self-confidence but will also leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed after a long day’s work.

Take mini-breaks

The solution for WFH stress is to take work-free breaks during the day. The lockdown made us realize that there is more to life than deadlines and virtual calls. These uncertain times have encouraged us to take a pause, be grateful and enjoy each moment as it comes. Small things like taking a 15-minute break with your family members every three hours for a cup of coffee, a game of catch, or a quick comedy show will instantly liven up the mood, making the day feel lighter and less mundane. The little moments help clear the headspace, which improves productivity, helping you, work better.

Embrace a nutty start to the day

Being Nut-wise: Busting the myths about almonds.

While we focus on staying fit and toning our bodies, one thing that we often forget is to provide it with the right nutrition. Starting your day with nuts like almonds will give your body the energy boost it needs during the day. Almonds are rich in Vitamin B2, Vitamin E, magnesium, and phosphorus; nutrients that are known to provide energy that help keep you active. A handful of almonds may have satiating properties that promote a feeling of fullness, which helps limit unhealthy snacking by keeping hunger at bay. Almonds contain immunity supporting nutrients like zinc, copper, and folate. Starting your day the nutty way will help you and your siblings reap nutritious benefits that not only add a natural glow but also help manage diabetes and improve heart health.

Also Read-Daily routines to keep Kidney healthy

Read More-Healthy ingredients for a fitter lifestyle

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Events Lite Blogs

Celebrate Holi, Have Benefits

Colours, as we all know, are vital for a healthy body. While immersed in the vibrant colours of Holi, our mind and body experience myriads of benefits…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe.

A festival celebrated joyously all over India Holi is a day of colours, where people of all ages and ethnicities have fun dousing each other in dyes and coloured water. Holi festival is based on one of the famous legends of killing evil demoness Holika. Another one of the famous legends is the one Lord Krishna complaining to mother Yashodha about Radha being fairer as compared to him. Mother Yashodha suggests that Krishna should colour Radha, in the colour of his choice. The mischievous Krishna is said to have coloured his beloved in a hue of colours thereafter. A tradition that is thereby we have been following.

People celebrating Holi (Pallav Paliwal)

Associated with the colour white, Holi symbolizes the end of one phase and the beginning of a new tomorrow. As Holi nears us, we celebrate the return of colours on the trees, in the sunsets, the arrival of spring, the end of winter. Holi stresses the need to get rid of the impassive winters, long nights and dry skin and lackluster hair. Interestingly, traditional Holi ritual and customs step in as the perfect body-rejuvenation therapy.

Holi Celebration (Pallav Paliwal)

Colours and the mind

Colours, as we all know, are vital for a healthy body. While immersed in the vibrant colours of Holi, our mind and body experience myriads of benefits. Bright colours like red tend to stimulate the heartbeat & breathing. Colours like Yellow and Blue don’t just bring in a calming effect on our senses but also surround us with a sense of joy and happiness.

Advantages of Holika Dhahan

Holi, like many other festivals, falls on the cusp of winters and spring. This season also exposes us to a number of bacteria and pollution in the air around us. The mutation period of winter and spring induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body Hence, the burning of Holika, the day before Holi, where many lights a bonfire that symbolizes the burning of evil, follows the tradition of walking around the fire deodorizing our environment and cleansing the body from the bacteria.

Natural and organic colours

Traditionally the Holi colours were created with naturally helpful ingredients like hibiscus flowers, henna leaves, Kesar, sandalwood and more. These natural colours are not just good for your skin, hair and eyes but even cleanse and clear the dead skin. Ingredients such as these are used in Ayurveda for rejuvenating the body and giving it a healthy glow. Red colour is energizing and stimulate heart functions and breathing. Yellow has a soothing effect on organs especially the intestines and blue has a calming and tranquilizing effect on our body and senses.

Cool, energizing drinks

Wake up from our chilling winter slumber, our body needs more than just a cold shower. Renowned Holi drinks like Thandai and Kaanji act as great coolants and are an excellent source of anti-oxidants. Thandai, comprising of delicious milk flavour, has the goodness of almonds, watermelon seeds, fennel seeds and rose petals. While Kaanji, a traditional North Indian drink is fermented and packed with rich nutrients and fibre.

The festival of Holi also promotes good health in the southern regions of India. The morning after the burning of Holika, people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead. Along with that, they also mix Chandan (sandalwood paste) with the leaves and flowers from the Mango tree and consume it.

Also Read-No Holi celebrations in public places

Read More-PICS: Celebration of Colours

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-Top News EU News

EU to infuse $5.9bn in health

“Health diplomacy is not an option” for the member states but a “shared necessity” said Portuguese Minister of Health Marta Temido…reports Asian Lite News

The European Union (EU) will invest over five billion euros ($5.9 billion) in the EU Health Program, the Portuguese Presidency of the European Council.

Portuguese Minister of Health Marta Temido said at a virtual conference on Thursday that the measure highlights the need to reinforce the strategy to combat the Covid-19 pandemic at national and European levels, reports Xinhua news agency.

She said that “health diplomacy is not an option” for the member states but a “shared necessity”.

“Global health challenges transcend borders and the classic north/south or east/west divisions, exposing the limitations of segmented approaches,” she said.

Temido emphasised that “this is the time to act together and seek to reinforce the strength and influence of the European Union in health” with “more inclusive, comprehensive and coordinated strategies to face the new challenges” and with “global solidarity”.

“No state is safe until everyone is safe,” she said.

“The EU has been and will remain committed.”

In his brief address, Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa acknowledged that “there was a lot of selfishness and isolationism in the fight against the pandemic”.

Accordingly, a “closer alignment of the policies of the member states” is extremely necessary, he said.

“During the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union, we will have the opportunity to focus on the essential role of the Union in the area of health, thinking about this pandemic, but thinking mainly about the future,” he said.

The conference, which has attracted over 30 speakers, aimed to reinforce the EU’s role in improving global health.

Also read:EU to reset ties with Turkey

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Study: Indians on ‘high risk’ life style

Reduction in commute time and lockdown probably allowed Indians to focus more on their health and making their immune system stronger…writes Siddhi Jain.

Many studies have come out about the issues related to the unhealthy life style of Indians. While alcohol intake and thyroid issues among Indians seem to have reduced over the past year, a new health report has detailed a concerning increase in levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, despite fitness and health becoming a nationwide area of interest during the Covid-19 lockdown.

As per the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) Score, 1 in 2 Indians is either in the ‘High Risk’ or ‘Borderline’ category. This is a massive 12 per cent improvement from last year’s figures where 62 per cent Indians fell into the ‘Unhealthy’ category.

According to GOQii’s latest India Fit Report 2021, majority of people can become healthy by making few adjustments to their lifestyle. Reduction in commute time and lockdown probably allowed Indians to focus more on their health and making their immune system stronger. From a gender wise perspective, men are healthier in comparison to women. From an age wise perspective, the younger generation is unhealthier in comparison to the older generation.

Blood Pressure

About 15 per cent of users have reported high BP in 2020 in comparison to 13.4 per cent in 2019. This figure, according to the report, has steadily increased over the last 4 years. About 35 per cent users also reported this disease runs in the family which is a significant figure. Blood pressure cases among older adults are just triple of those in adults. Safe to say, then, that people above 45 are at more risk of having hypertension.

Diabetes

An analysis conducted by a full-stack digital ecosystem for diabetes care and management revealed that the average pre-pandemic fasting sugar levels in January till mid-February was 138 mg/dl whereas in March till mid-April it rose to 165 mg/dl. One-third claim this disease runs in the family. The percentage of those suffering from diabetes went triple, from adults to older adults.

Cholesterol

About 13 per cent users reported high cholesterol, a figure that has remained stable for the past two years. On the other hand, only 4 per cent mentioned they had heart issues which is a major decrease from 8.6 per cent in 2019.

Alcohol

Figures for drinking have reduced for almost all of the age groups and across a majority of cities. Many reasons can be accounted for the same. To start with, the biggest reason can be the onset of the nationwide lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Travelling was restricted and all the major places where usually people used to drink earlier like cafes, restaurants, bars etc. were shut down. All of these cumulatively decreased the drinking of the people as the only option they were left with was to drink at home, which was not a feasible option for a lot of people. Some comfortably did that, while a majority were not that comfortable in drinking amid their family members and hence the number reduced this year.

As compared to last year’s data, there is a significant reduction in the number of people falling sick in every age category this year. This could be due to the increased awareness in people regarding immunity levels through healthy lifestyle and nutrition food choices. The dip in pollution levels across the nation could also be a reason for this.

The report also revealed that stress levels remained high throughout the year. The survey outcome highlighted a rise in stress index from 4.98 in Mid-year to 5.11 at end of the year. Forty-five per cent are currently plagued with depression.

City-wise, Surat, Jaipur and Patna are the top 3 healthiest cities in India, respectively, as revealed by the survey whereas Lucknow, Kolkata and Chennai are the unhealthiest.

Also Read-When running away from diabetes became a lifeline

Read More-How to manage diabetes during winter

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Key pointers to achieve your weight goal

The first step for fitness is simple, say no to sugar…writes Ishi Khosla

New years are rich with resolutions and around 80 per cent New Year’s resolutions are dropped by the second week of February. Strava conducted a research using over 800 million user-logged activities in 2019, which found that most people give up their resolutions by January 19, often referred to as “Quitters Day”. Getting into ‘best shape’ or ‘losing weight’ is the resolution kept most by people, over the years.

In the generation we are living in, approximately 2.1 billion people are overweight or obese, which means, obesity is a very common condition globally. Hence it is natural that most of us resort to weight-loss as a resolution. If you’ve made it past the “quitters” list and want to be a part of the 20 per cent who don’t drop out by the second week of February, here are a few key pointers to keep you motivated to achieve your weight goal.

Obesity.

Try looking at your resolutions as reflections

Look back and observe what went right the last time you signed up to something, use that sense of accomplishment to sign up to your next task. The term ‘resolution’ could be daunting, so don’t let it overwhelm you. Do not overhaul your lifestyle with unrealistic changes as you will end up slipping into your old ways.

Pen it down

People often keep a load of all the things that they’re going to do/change in a cloud of thought in their head. Physically penning it down on paper makes it tangible, and a lot more real. Affirmations act as a constant reminder in days of doubt, so use your time to make a list of all the things you’re proud of so far and all those that you’re going to be proud of soon. The universe has its way of patting you on the back. Be sure to throw it out there!

Common mistakes while trying to lose weight.

Be specific

It’s very convenient to pen down, “get in shape”, however this resolution of yours can be made a lot more achievable with a — “get in shape by taking the stairs in my building”. These are small in scope but have a very high success rate in comparison to vague, broad-bracketed goals.

Baby steps

Rome was not built in a day, and no one expects things to change overnight either. However, it is important to identify the tiny milestones by making small changes in your daily lifestyle. The first step for fitness is simple, say no to sugar — switching from table sugar to low calorie sweeteners, swapping chocolate with sugar-free dark chocolate, consuming fresh fruit instead of canned juices, etc. These tiny changes take you a long way!

I have observed a pattern of how most people who sign up to resolutions usually become complacent around the first week of February. With festive occasions like Valentine’s Day approaching, people find it hard to keep up to their resolutions especially if it has anything to do with sugar or calories. Here’s where your lifestyle and sweet tooth can enjoy alignment. Make simple changes in your day, like swapping white sugar for low calorie sweeteners to observe achievable results.

Do not deprive yourself from indulging, but indulge right. You don’t need to completely give up your sweet cravings, it’s the sugar that needs the ditching. Resolutions are only the first step towards change. We’re only human, and temptation and lethargy are bound to find you. It is completely okay if you have almost given up as long as you identify the fact that you did and restart from scratch. We all stumble, but it’s those who get back up that make the difference. Don’t say no to your cravings. Eat sweet, but not sugar.

In case you’ve stumbled upon a resolution hurdle and found yourself contemplating its worth, now’s your time to jump it and keep running. It’s never too late! Re-align but don’t resign!

Ishi Khosla is a leading Nutritionist

Also Read-‘Fitness is a balance of mind’

Read More-Shilpa Shares Fitness Mantra