All posts by Sumana Rao

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Monkeypox symptoms

Monkeypox Outbreak – Symptoms And Treatment

Monkeypox an extremely rare disease is spreading around the world. So far more than 250 cases are reported from 16 different countries. The diseases spreads with close and prolonged contact with an infected person.

According to Rosamund Lewis, Head of the Smallpox secretariat of WHO emergencies Program, ‘the countries that are reporting the monkeypox now are those countries that do not normally have monkeypox outbreaks’. The emerging disease Monkeypox is endemic to tropical rainforests in west and Central Africa, but now it is increasingly seen spreading in urban areas too as per WHO. Monkeypox is endemic to Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo (both Democratic and Republic), Gabon, Ghana (in animals only) Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Sudan.

This year the first case of monkeypox in US reported in Massachusetts when a patient hospitalized with symptoms. According to CDC, in 2021 two passengers traveling from Nigeria to US were diagnosed with monkeypox. In UK monkeypox was reported in people who did not travel or did not had contact with those who had monkeypox.  Since May 13th of this year cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from its 12 member states are not endemic to monkeypox virus.

Cases of monkeypox in non endemic countries reported to WHO between 13th to 21st May are:

Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA.

Reported cases so far have not established travel links to an endemic area where the monkeypox originated. Cases have mainly been identified (but not exclusively) amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) seeking care in primary care and sexual health clinics. PCR test have identified samples as being infected with West African Clade.

Epidemiology of Monkeypox: It is a virus  or viral zoonosis ( virus transmitted to humans by animals) with symptoms similar to smallpox. However it is less severe. Virus belongs to Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. The name monkeypox originates from the initial discovery of the virus in monkeys in Danish Laboratory in 1958. It was first identified in a child in Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970.

Transmission: Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and materials that are contaminated by infectious person. Incubation period is +6 to 13 days and range from 5 to 21 days (WHO).

People who have compromised immune system or those individuals who have suppressed immune systems are susceptible to the virus. This include children, pregnant women, cancer and patients with other serious conditions.

Between West African clade and Congo Basin clade – West African clade appears to cause less severe disease. Fatality rate in case of West African clade is reported so far is, 3.6% vs. 10.6% in Congo Basin clade.

Symptoms:

  1. Headache
  2. Acute onset of fever (above 38.6C)
  3. Swollen lymph nodes
  4. Myalgia or body aches
  5. Back pain
  6. Asthenia
  7. And acute rash: Rashes are hard to miss, it starts as macules which are flat lesions. Later it forms a firm nodule which becomes a blister and pustule that contains pus and it scabs over.

People may be contagious at the early signs of fever and stay infectious through the rash until the skin scabs and heals over (ucdavis.edu)

There is a misconception that monkeypox is related to Covid-19. No, monkeypox is not related to Covid-19 and it is related to smallpox.

Treatments:
According to WHO, Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox. Newer vaccines have been developed of which one has been approved for prevention of monkeypox.

Smallpox vaccine has some cross protection against monkeypox. If the vaccine is given within four days of exposure it protects the person about 85% of the time. Vaccine is effective and makes the disease less severe. Other treatments include, antivirals and immunoglobulins that helps to treat the symptoms.

If you think you are exposed to monkeypox contact your health care provider.

Note from World Health Organization about Monkeypox:

Prevention – Someone who has direct contact with an infected person, including sexual contact can get monkeypox. Steps for self-protection include avoiding skin to skin or face to face contact with anyone who has symptoms, practicing safer sex, keeping hands clean with water and soap or alcohol-based hand rub, and maintaining respiratory etiquette.

Detection and care – If people develop a rash, accompanied by fever or a feeling of discomfort or illness, they should contact their health care provider and get tested for monkeypox. If someone is suspected or confirmed as having monkeypox, they should isolate until the scabs have fallen off and abstain from sex, including oral sex. During this period, patients can get supportive treatment to ease monkeypox symptoms. Anyone caring for a person sick with monkeypox should use appropriate personal protective measures, including wearing a mask, and cleaning objects, & surfaces that have been touched.

Reporting – Any rash-like illness during travel or upon return should be immediately reported to a health professional, including information about all recent travel, sexual history and smallpox immunization history. Residents and travellers to monkeypox-endemic countries should avoid contact with sick mammals such as rodents, marsupials, non-human primates (dead or alive) that could harbour monkeypox virus and should refrain from eating or handling wild game (bush meat).

Image credit: https://health.ucdavis.edu/

References:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON385

www.cnn.com

https://health.ucdavis.edu/

https://www.cdc.gov/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 26, 2022
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These 4 Recipes Can Help To Detoxify And Reduce Weight

These 4 Recipes Can Help To Detoxify And Reduce Weight

Detoxify and reduce weight Infographic

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Child care illness prevention

Preventing illness in child care

When children are in a room, playing together in child care there is always a chance of getting infected. Both infants and toddlers who depend on care givers for their health in day care facilities or preschools are more prone to such infections. Children wipe their nose or rub their eyes and then touch toys and other children.  Virus thus becomes contagious and causes illness.

Viruses that are responsible for colds and flu cause most sickness in children in child care facilities. Sore throat, cold, cough, vomiting, diarrhea – these are some of the common sickness child will face after such infection. With all the preventive measures still, the infections spread in child care center. Both child care facility and parents must give attention so that other children should not get infected easily.

In many child care facilities where one or two staffs are working, taking care of sick child or children or giving proper attention to sick child might not be possible due to limitation of staffs, space and while giving attention to other children. In child cares where there is space and enough staff members are available, sick child should be kept in a comfortable place and must be allowed to rest and parents must pick up the child from that room so that other children not exposed to illness. If the child needs minimal care and does not need exclusion, then child can lie down in within sight of care giver.

Some of the recommendations to avoid sickness in child care

  • Prevent sick child from participating in activities.
  • Staff members of child care should not compromise the health and safety of other children to avoid spreading of harmful conditions
  • Any child with respiratory and fever symptoms should be excluded from child care till the child recovers.
  • To reduce the risk of infection child care providers and children of child care facility must receive all recommended immunizations including flu vaccine.
  • Practice good hygiene in child care is important. This include:
  • Sink and water to wash hands.
  • Separate sink for food preparation and hand wash
  • Toilets and sinks must be clean and readily available for child
  • Water or disposable paper towels must be available for all children
  • All toys that infants and toddlers put in their mouth must be sanitized
  • Door handles, drinking water unit, toilet surface, diaper changing area must be cleaned and disinfected everyday
  • All play tables and potty chairs must be cleaned and disinfected
  • All children and care staff must be fully immunized including flu vaccine
  • Food should be stored properly. For infants and toddlers who drink breast milk from bottles – bottles must be labeled and stored properly.

Hand wash is a must in child care facility and instructions for staff members should be:

  • When staff arrive in facility they must wash hands
  • Before and after handling food, while feeding child hands must be washed.
  • After helping child to use toilet, changing diaper – hands must be washed
  • After cleaning nose, eyes and mouth of a child
  • After playing with toys and sandboxes
  • Before and after giving medicine to children
  • After using restroom or toilets for personal use
  • After removing/handling garbage

Parents must also check with child care facility regarding health consultation availability that is needed in case of emergency or if the child falls sick in the facility. Review the policies of child care before signing up your child with a care facility.

References:

https://healthylife.werindia.com/

https://www.healthychildren.org/

https://www.babycenter.com

Image credit: Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 19, 2022
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Your food choices decides your health

Your food choices decides your health

With many types of health issues that arise due to food, today people want to know what our great grandparents, grandparents used to eat that kept their health in good condition for long time.

Well, the answer is “you are what you eat”.

It means our choice of food and diet should suit our system and body. We should listen to our body and understand what food is good for our system and what is not, it is simple concept.

To be healthy understand what you should be eating.

The five different choices one can make when it comes to food are:

Go for seasonal produce: Due to advanced technology, in this era all types of produces are available in all seasons. You may be happy find your favorite fruit and vegetables in all seasons. But, what grows in that season is what you should be eating. Those foods that grows during summer are great for summer diet and during fall, consume those foods that grow in fall. With change in season your body also seeks certain nutrients and you should supply those nutrients by means of foods that grow in the season. If not, you will end up in certain body condition.

Look for native edible herbs: If you don’t get vegetables, go outside in a farm and look at nature. You will be surprised to see native, edible herbs that can be used for cooking, salad and fruits to prepare smoothies. There are many such edible plants grow in nature. Learn traditional cooking with using native herbs and ingredients, it helps to boost your energy. If you have space, grow such plants.

Homemade fermented foods: Start preparing your own curd/yogurt, butter, clarified butter, batters and pickles at home. Learn the recipes from your elders. Not only these probiotics are healthy, it will give a satisfaction because you prepared it. Healthy probiotics keeps stomach in good condition, and there is no need to worry about indigestion. These foods strengthen our immune system.

Cook food at home: No matter what, don’t always eat unprocessed, canned and ready made foods. Eat healthy and homemade food. When you cook at home you know what you are adding. You will not add preservative, artificial color or flavor to your food. You will cook with natural ingredients that are available in your kitchen. Try different types of vegetables and healthy foods. All it will take is an hour maximum to cook. You can afford that much time for yourself and for your family. Why to consume fast foods and risk your health?

Go for unadulterated foods: Stop using additives, artificial sweeteners, thickeners, stabilizers in your food. Avoid GMO food. Go with natural milk and stop using hormonal milk and dairy products. Grow your vegetables if you have space in your backyard. If nature didn’t make it don’t eat . Chante to organic produces. Organically grown fruits and vegetables are safer than the chemical sprayed produces.

Incorporate these five mantras in your daily life and you will keep all conditions away from your body.

Image credit: Photo by Vo Thuy Tien from Pexels (Free CC0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 18, 2022
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Daily uses of vegetable oil

20 Practical Uses Of Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oils are extracted from seeds or from other plant parts. Most of the vegetable oil that we find in market are mix of corn, soybean, safflower, palm, canola, sunflower oils. It is an inexpensive choice that can be used for all types of cooking. Vegetable oil can be used for not just cooking, also for various purposes.

  1. Apply for squeaky hinges: Putting few drops of vegetable oil to hinges will reduce squeak by lubricating the hinge.
  2. Applying for cast iron: Cast iron cookware quality improves by applying coat of vegetable oil often and prevents rust.
  3. Remove stickers from bottles: To remove tough stickers and disintegrated stickers apply vegetable oil.
  4. For tools: Applying vegetable oil on scissors, knife, garden tools, prevents dust, glue, any sticky material on surfaces.
  5. Separating cans, glasses: Applying oil on surface of reusable cans, glass bottles  that tend to stick together because of sticky food label residues, will help to keep them separated.
  6. Clean furniture: Take drops vegetable oil on soft cloth and apply wooden furniture surface. Leave it for few minutes and again wipe excess oil.
  7. Use for polishing stainless steel surfaces: If you have stainless steel microwave, fridge, dishwasher, and other appliances apply vegetable oil and gently wipe surface to remove fingerprints, marks, smudges. It brings shine to appliances.
  8. To unstick zipper: Sometime in our jackets, sweaters, suitcases zipper will get stuck. Lubricate zipper using vegetable oil, put few drops on zipper where it is getting stuck, leave it for few minutes.
  9. To remove candle wax: Candle wax drips on furniture or floor can be removed using vegetable oil. Pour little oil on dried wax. It will loosen the wax and becomes easy to remove.  
  10. Paint removal: When we work with paint, we also get some paint on our hands or face. Take few drops vegetable oil and apply on the skin surface. Paint will come out easily.
  11. Use as moisturizer: Sometimes moisturizers might not keep you from drying, especially during severe winter and cold seasons. Use vegetable oil in place of moisturizer for hands, legs, feet and heel cracks, elbows. It works well.
  12. Protect pet paws: To heal the cracks in pet paws, apply small amounts of vegetable oil under the paw. It makes them comfortable by softening the paw surface. Just make sure your pet does not run-on bed or sofa for few minutes!
  13. Use for buffing shoes: To rejuvenate leather shoes, using a soft cloth apply vegetable oil on shoe surface and shine them. Oil also removes smudge and dirt from surface.
  14. Car prep: Car wheels, door handles, bumper and areas where there is shiny metal on your car surface  can be taken care using oil. Prep these areas before washing the car by applying vegetable oil. This not just pre-cleans the car surface, also gives look.
  15. To remove lids: Sometimes syrup, honey, jam or jelly material can make lid tight due to glue like property. Coat vegetable oil on outside of the rim  and dispense few drops of oil inside lid and bottle contact. Leave it for few mins and try opening it. Lid should open easily.
  16. To remove splinters: While working in garden or wood, splinters can sit in hand or feet making it difficult to work as it hurts. Soak the splinter stuck area with little vegetable oil and then using tweezers pull the splinter.
  17. To get soft skin: Add few drops of oil in bucket water and take bath. It moisturizes skin, you will end up with glowing soft skin.
  18. For smooth shave: For women, if you are running out of shaving cream for legs and hands, apply little vegetable oil on skin surface and then shave. It works!
  19. Makeup removal: Instead of using makeup remover that bothers skin by irritation and allergy, use vegetable oil to remove make up. It also moisturizes skin.
  20. For mosquito bites: During summer mosquito bites are common. Apply few drops of vegetable oil on mosquito bites and itchy areas for relief.

Image credit: Image by congerdesign from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 15, 2022
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Dandelion rubber

Rubber From Beautiful Dandelion Plant

Commonly considered as weed with beautiful yellow flowers Dandelion is gaining importance for all good reasons. Before you throw Dandelion from your yard, think twice.

Why Dandelion is gaining importance?

Dandelion is known for its medicinal properties. Its root and leaves are used for different home remedies. Leaves are edible and can be added in salad. With these, it is adding another feather to its cap!

Globally many companies are searching for ways to be more environmentally friendly and looking for sustainable, regenerative materials for manufacturing of various products. Rubber industry is looking for plants that can be used in rubber production. Rubber plants Hevea brasiliensis from Brazil were the most cultivated plant around the globe for rubber production.

Do you know? Today fossil fuels are major source for rubber. Overall, 65% of rubber consumed globally is derived from fossil fuels. This is cheaper and more hardwearing than its natural counterpart. The advantage of natural rubber is it disperses heat better and has better grip. This is the reason tires are made with a mix of both.

During the second world war because of the growing demand, US, UK, USSR and Germany were using Dandelions for rubber manufacturing! It means, the technology of rubber manufacturing using Dandelion is not new to the world. It was originally developed by then USSR to become self sufficient nation.  After searching for hundreds of various types of plant specimen, Soviet Union picked up Dandelions growing in Kazakhstan for rubber production. Russian dandelion, namely Taraxacum koksaghyz, supplied 30% of the USSR’s rubber by 1941.

After second world war, rubber plant gained more importance due to low cost production and Dandelion moved away from the picture.  

Growing Hevea is another major reason for deforestation in Brazil.  Leaves of rubber plants are vulnerable to fungal blight disease in South America. This is making rubber industry look for an alternative to rubber plant as they are nervous to depend on single plant that has very little genetic diversity.

Dandelion is back in action!

Continental tires recently started producing rubber tires using Dandelion. They named these tires Taraxagum, a collaboration between Continental Tires and the Fraunhofer Institute of Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology in Aachen, Germany. Taraxacum is the Botanical name of Dandelion species. Bicycle tires manufactured by Continental tires bagged 2021 German Sustainability Award for its sustainable design.

Even the famous Apollo Tyers have used Dandelion rubber to manufacture bike tires. Continental is confident about promising tests on truck tires manufactured from Dandelion rubber.

Dandelion plant grows easily everywhere, anywhere. These plants do not require any additional supply of food or care. Their seeds easily disperse and grow well even in polluted areas! The Russian Dandelion can be grown in poor soil and it does have to grow using agriculture methods. Apollo which was part of EU funded DRIVE4EU consortium cultivated Dandelion in Belgium, Netherlands, and Kazakhstan. Dandelion for this project was also cultivated in Sweden, US, and Germany. In US and Canada, Dandelion is very common and present everywhere. Taking advantage of this character of Dandelion, Taraxagum research team has come up with idea of producing best quality rubber. Dandelion tires also proved to be even better than those that were manufactured using Hevea, the natural rubber. It also blends with synthetic rubber well.

In case of Hevea plant during rubber extraction process organic solvents are heavily used and it creates problem to environment if not properly disposed. In case of Dandelion. rubber extraction procedure requires hot water extraction method. According to van der Meer, Coordinator of DRIVE4EU project, chopped roots processed in hot water with very little chemicals.

There is still concern about another problem, disposal of the used, degraded rubber as micro particles of rubber settles in water sources.

As mentioned, Dandelions are easily growing weeds and are very critical for maintaining food supply for bees and dandelion root coffee (herbal tea) is popular food amongst many. Now extracting good quality rubber for rubber industry makes Dandelion presence more important for the environment. Instead of going on destroying the forest around us to plant rubber tree, plants like Dandelion that grow naturally bring promise and hope for the environment.

References:

https://www.dw.com/

www.trueactivist.com

Image credit: https://www.foodstoragemoms.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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How to starve and kill prostate cancer cells?

How to starve and kill prostate cancer cells?

Researchers recently identified that turmeric, red grapes and apples have one common factor. All three can help to prevent and treat one of the most common cancer that is happening “prostate cancer”. After skin cancer prostate cancer is most common cancer among men. Recent report from American Cancer Society, there are about 161,360 new cases of prostate cancer patients!

When you eat curry, fruits or vegetables it is for the betterment of the health. Eating plant based food helps in various ways. This report published in online Oncology journal reveals that plants have the capacity to prevent the growth of cancer. Indian miracle herb turmeric has gained so much importance because of its compound. With turmeric, another two plants – red grape and apples are studies by group of scientists to understand their effect on cancer cells. The natural compounds present in these three, have potential to starve the prostate cancer tumors and can shrink them!

As per the report, the apple peel can halt the growth of the prostate cancer when combined with the compounds present in red grapes and turmeric! In combination, these compounds have more effect on cancer cells.

A report published in online Journal of Precision Oncology by Stefano Tiziani and colleagues from the Department of Nutritional Sciences and the Dell Pediatric Research Institute of University of Texas, Austin reveals this news.

For this study Stefano Tiziani and colleagues used high Screening technique and 142 compounds were screened with the goal of identifying those compounds that potentially can halt growth of prostate cells. These compounds were administered alone and in combination were tested both and humans and animals. These compounds harmless and were effective.

The compounds were tested on prostate cancer cells derived from mice and humans, individually and in combination. The curcumin from turmeric, resveratrol from red grapes and ursolic acid in apple peel were tested in mouse for prostate cancer. When combined with either curcumin or resveratrol, ursolic acids, prostate cancer cells are prevented by uptake of glutamine and prevents tumor development in mice. Glutamine is needed for prostate cancer cells to grow and preventing glutamine uptake starves the cancer cells and they die! Concentration of these chemical compounds were higher than the amount that we intake through normal diet.

This research also demonstrates how plant based phytochemicals can work together. The solution looks simple – blocking a substance that is needed for growth of cancer cells and make them starve to death! It means, include more plants in your diet – eat fruits, vegetables and plant based food and you never know what benefit you are getting from phytochemicals plants supply to your body as medicines.

Reference:

University of Texas at Austin. “Starving prostate cancer with what you eat: Apple peels, red grapes, turmeric.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 June 2017. 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 14, 2022
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