All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Household chemicals and children safety

Household chemicals and children safety

So many household chemicals as cleaning products are available in the market. Sometimes one can see how inappropriately people store these chemicals when you visit someone’s home. If you have toddlers and young children who cannot obviously differentiate between the dangerous chemicals, you must take extra care in handling and storing cleaning products to keep it out of reach of children. These chemical containers are not toys. Children should never handle or play with chemical containers. It can harm you child seriously and can be fatal.

Here are safety tips to store and dispose the household chemicals.

  1. Store all cleaning materials out of reach of both children and pets.
  2. Install child – proof latches where you store cleaning materials – under sink cabinets, kitchen and bathroom.
  3. Always store laundry products on high shelves to avoid any rashes on sensitive skin of child.
  4. Before buying a product identify what type of product it is. It can be all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, disinfectant, bleach, cleaner etc. – Use and store them appropriately.
  5. Do not mix and store food, syrups, medicine and cleaning products in same cabinet.
  6. Do not keep container keep open or loose. There are incidents where children swallowed chemicals and resulted in emergency. Remember – child does not read label and they might not know what is poison unless they reach an age where you explain and they understand.
  7. Seal the container back and store it back in its place immediately. Handle chemicals with proper equipment and wash the tool. Store away goggles, gloves and any other protective gear that meets chemicals.
  8. Properly dispose the rags and paper towels and throw the trash immediately after cleaning.
  9. Keep list of emergency phone numbers handy. Keep a first aid kit with emergency washing liquids.
  10. Familiarize with the labels and be aware of the products and side effects so that in case the children come in contact – you know what you need to do.
  11. Do not mix products that are safe when used alone and can be dangerous when mixed with other chemicals. Some chemicals can be used alone and when mixed with other chemicals can cause dangerous fumes hurting lungs and breathing.
  12. Do not reuse an empty household cleaning chemical product container for any other purposes. Left over chemicals can react with the material which you might try to store in the container.
  13. Read how to store and dispose the container. For store bought chemicals instructions generally will be available on the container itself or with instruction pamphlet attached to it.
  14. All chemicals are toxic at certain level. If you are making a household cleaning mix it should also be treated like commercial cleaning product. Do not leave these chemicals unattended in front of children.

 Safety of children is in parents and elders’ responsibility. Be responsible for your actions. When children reach an age where they can differentiate between good and dangerous, teach them, explain them about household products and safety. For this, get yourself educated and be cautious.

References:

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


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 2, 2022
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Keep your lungs breathing

Keep your lungs breathing

When compared to other organs of the body – kidney, heart, brain, digestive system, lungs are least neglected organ.

We take our lungs for granted. But, lungs keeps us alive every second as they are responsible for our breathing.

Lungs keep away germs and dirt at bay.

Pollution and sedentary life can damage lungs.

To reduce risk of lung disease we should take care of lungs by good habits.

Some tips to take care Lungs:

  • Don’t smoke: Smoking is injurious to lungs and overall health. It can cause lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. It can narrow air passages and makes breathing difficult. It also caused inflammation and swelling of lungs and it will result in chronic bronchitis. Lung tissues will damage and results in cancer. Give up on smoking. Take the help you need by contacting your doctor. Understand how to quit. Because quitting smoking is not easy.
  • Avoid exposure to pollutants: If you are in outdoor and exposed to severe pollution – dust, chemicals, smoke etc. – it can make lungs work hard and worsen lungs health. Test your home for radon, wear mask when you have to travel in polluted area. If the air quality is poor then take preventive action. In some areas, especially in the summer, ozone and other pollutants can make working out or even spending time outdoors an unhealthy proposition.
  • Prevent lung Infection: Respiratory infection can become serious and damage lungs. Keep your home, work place desk, toilet etc. clean. Wash your hands whenever it is needed. Keep it clean. Alcohol based cleaners are good substitute for water. Keep a bottle of sanitizer handy. Avoid crowds and gathering during cold and flu season. Good oral hygiene helps in protecting oral health and lungs. If you are sick take rest and keep a distance from other individuals. Prevention is better than cure.
  • Exercise for lungs: To increase lung capacity go for aerobic exercise. Yogic pranayama and breathing techniques can help improve lung function. There are specific breathing techniques that are very helpful in strengthening lungs capacity to work. If your cardio-respiratory fitness exercise is better, easier it is for lungs to keep both heart and muscles supplied with oxygen.
  • Food for lungs: Including following vegetables and fruits in your food to keep lungs in healthy condition: Fruits – blueberries, cranberries, prunes, apple, pear, peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries, plums, pineapple, oranges, mango. Eat fruits that are available in that particular season. Similarly select vegetables that are available in the season and go with organic produces to avoid pesticides – Bell peppers, asparagus, cabbage, tomatoes, broccoli, artichokes, kale and spinach.
  • Lungs checkup: If your family have a history of any type of lung disease, then contact your doctor and go for regular checkups. Test your lungs for conditions that is in your family and make sure your lungs are working properly.

Consult your doctor if you have respiratory problem or history of lung diseases in your family. Take proper precautions.

References:

http://www.lung.org

https://www.unitypoint.org

Image credit: Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash (Free for commercial)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 29, 2022
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How To Boost Your Bone Health According To Your Age Group?

How To Boost Your Bone Health According To Your Age Group?

Strong bones are crucial to good health, and good nutrition is crucial to strong bones. Find out what you need to protect the health of your skeleton for years to come.

As children, our bones are almost exploding with rapid growth. If we break something, no problem — we knit back together like Plastic Man. By around 18 or 19 years old, we’ve reached about 95% of our peak bone mass. We can continue to build some bone in our 20s.

Bones may look hard and unchangeable. They don’t seem to do anything much. But like any part of the body, they’re dynamic, living tissues. They’re constantly breaking down and remodeling themselves. In fact, you end up with a completely new skeleton about every 10 years.

If we aren’t well-nourished, then our bones don’t recover well.

Image credit; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osteoporosis_in_Bones.jpg :www.scientificanimations.com, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bone Density Test

Bone Density Test

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Make Healthy Food Choices

Make Healthy Food Choices

Vitamin D and Calcium play important role

Vitamin D and Calcium play important role

Bone Health at Age 20s

Bone health at Age 20s

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Bone Health in your 40s

Bone health in your 40s

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Bone Health in your 50s

Bone health in your 50s

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As a man at the age of 50 – To live a bone healthy life

Men at age of 50

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Avoid bone sucking food and get proper nutrition

Avoid Bone Sucking Food and Get Proper Nutrition

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References:

  • https://americanbonehealth.org/
  • https://authoritynutrition.com
  • https://www.niams.nih.gov/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 22, 2022
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DYI Lip Care

Get Beautiful Lips With DYI Natural Home Lip Care Tips

Just like skin, lips will have dead skin on the surface and it is essential to exfoliate the lips or sometimes during certain time of the seasons dry lips causes problems.  People also face lip discoloration due several reasons. Naturally pink lips suddenly or overtime will start turning dark due to following reasons – Low blood sugar, frostbite, tobacco use, deficiency of certain vitamins, medications, drugs, health issues and sometimes during pregnancy.

Many will use lip masks or scrub to exfoliate lips. Likewise one can use certain natural remedies at home to treat lips using simple kitchen ingredients, fruits, vegetables, oil etc.

To bring back color of lips or to keep original color as well as soft lips texture one can try DIY remedies at home.

  1. Sugar and honey scrub: This mixer not only slough off dead skin, also moisturizes the lips. Mix brown sugar and honey. Scrub the mix morning lightly on lips to get rid of dead skin. Honey helps acts as moisturizer and keeps lips soft.
  2. Use aloe vera: Wash and collect aloe vera gel. Add this gel to honey, sugar mix. Applying this mix on lips and leave it for about ten minutes. Wash using warm water. You can feel smooth lips.
  3. Strawberries: Cut a strawberry and mash it. To this add a little vitamin E oil and mix. To this add little coffee powder which acts as exfoliant. Apply the mix on lips and leave it for few minutes. Wash using warm water. Strawberry contains ellagic acid that protects skin.
  4. Coconut oil, honey and sugar with yogurt: First mix coconut oil and sugar. Apply and scrub the lips to remove dead skin. Wipe using clean cloth. Next use mixture of honey and yogurt to apply on lips. Leave it for finve minutes followed by a wash using warm water. Apply little Aloe vera gel on the lips to get soft effect.
  5. Beetroot for lips: After washing face, take grated beetroot and lightly apply on lips. Beetroot not only makes your lips attractive, it gives pink shade to lips. Wash using warm water after few minutes.
  6. Pomegranate juice and honey: Mix these two ingredients and apply on lips. After 10-15 minutes wash using warm water. You will notice smoother lips with a light pink tint.
  7. Avocado and honey: Scrape avocado fleshy portion a little and mix with little honey. Avocado naturally contains vitamin E that helps skin. Apply this mix on lips and leave it for few minutes. Wash and apply little Vaseline to keep the moisturizer effect.
  8. Strawberry and coconut oil: Just mix these two – mash strawberry and add coconut oil. Apply this mix on lips. To avoid iriitation, after washing lips apply little coconut oil or Vaseline on lips.
  9. Castor oil sugar scrub: Mix castor oil and brown sugar. If you are hesitant about castor oil taste, add little vanilla extract to get sweet odor. Add couple of drops of vitamin E oil. Mix and apply on lips, after few minutes wash using warm water.
  10. Pomegranate, beetroot or raspberry juice: Dab a little of any of these three juices on lips. You can mix the juice with few drops of honey and apply. Leave it for half an hour. Honey acts as moisturizer and any of these juices will give pink hue to lips.
  11. Priming lips: Before applying lipstick, gently apply almond oil or coconut oil on lips. Wait for few minutes and then apply lipstick. Applying the oil helps lips from harsh chemicals and keeps moisture intact.

To keep lips in good, healthy and natural color condition:

  • Avoid tobacco products
  • Remove makeup and lipstick before going to bed.
  • Apply almond and coconut oil regularly
  • Include tomato, watermelon, berries, coconut, walnut, yogurt, green tea in your diet.
  • Use honey  and aloe vera regularly to rejuvenate lip and to keep lips pink and healthy.

Image credit: Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay (CC by 0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Bone Density Test

Bone Density Test

A bone density test—also referred to as a DXA scan or a bone mineral density (BMD) test—is the current way to diagnose osteoporosis.

A bone density test determines if you have osteoporosis — the disease that causes bones to become more fragile and more likely to break.

The test measures the QUANTITY of bone at specific locations in the body, namely the mid-spine bones (lumbar region) and the upper end of the thighbone where it connects to the pelvis (total hip and its subdivisions – the femoral neck and trochanter).

Doctors use bone density testing to:

  • Identify decreases in bone density before you break a bone
  • Determine your risk of broken bones (fractures)
  • Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis
  • Monitor osteoporosis treatment

These locations are used for two primary reasons:

1) they have a large quantity of trabecular bone – the spongy, lattice-like bone on the inside- that tends to lose density as we age; and

2) measurements taken at these locations can be easily replicated so that we can determine if there are changes in the quantity (density) of bone over time.


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Make Healthy Food Choices

Make Healthy Food Choices

  • Your bones need a variety of nutrients, including calcium and vitamins, C, D and K. Getting enough protein is important for healthy bones. In fact, about 50% of bone is made of protein.
  • You can also get calcium in non-dairy foods, You’ll get calcium and vitamin K from kale, collard greens, broccoli, spinach and cabbage. Vitamin C is high in red and green bell peppers, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, oranges and pineapples.
  • For osteoporosis prevention, taking a supplement will be advised by your doctor once you reach a certain age or have osteopenia There is also a prescription drug called Ostiva, an oral supplement containing calcium, magnesium, vitamin B­6, vitamin B­12, vitamin D and metafolin.
  • Quit Smoking: Smoking cigarettes is one of the worst things you can do for your health and your bones.
  • Moderate Alcohol and Soda Intake: If you drink alcohol, stick to no more than one drink a day, or up to seven a week for women, and no more than two a day, or up to 10 a week for men. Consuming more than two alcoholic drinks per day raises the risk of falls and bone loss.
  • Exercise and Maintain a Healthy Body Weight: Being too heavy or too thin are risk factors for osteoporosis. Along with healthy eating, exercise is a key part of osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/users/fotoshoptofs-2171839/  & https://www.dpvhealth.org.au/


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Vitamin D and Calcium play important role

Vitamin D and Calcium play important role

Both men and women may have certain ‘risk factors’ that can make them more likely to develop osteoporosis.

People should discuss risk factors with their doctor, and anyone over 50 with risk factors may require a bone density scan.

  • Low calcium intake – adults require 1,000 mg per day (preferably through diet) which increases to 1,300 mg per day for women over 50 and men over 70. Low vitamin D levels – a lack of sun exposure can mean you are not getting enough vitamin D which your body needs to absorb calcium.
  • Your skin makes vitamin D in response to sun exposure, and your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and build healthy bones.
  • Much evidence indicates that both calcium and vitamin D are efficacious in protecting the skeleton, particularly when these 2 nutrients are used in combination
  • Review Your Medications: The medications you take can negatively affect your bones. Talk to your doctor and understand medications

Did you know? Most people get their vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, but certain foods, like yogurt, are fortified with vitamin D.

And, Eight ounces of fat-free milk will cost you 90 calories, but provide you with 30% of your daily dose of calcium.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/users/jplenio-7645255/ (CC by 0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Bone health at Age 20s

Bone Health at Age 20s

At 20, you have developed 90% of your skeleton, but you still have some time left to build.

Give it your best effort now to get strong bones that will support you through a long and healthy life.

To live a bone healthy life:

  • Eat 2-3 servings of foods that are rich in calcium.
  • Get at least 30 minutes of fun activities with high impact, like running, tennis, or aerobics.
  • Consider a vitamin D supplement.
  • Use good posture, especially when driving and on mobile devices.
  • Do not smoke or vape.
  • Use moderation in alcohol use.
  • Cut back on sugary drinks.
  • (For women) If you did not get your period by age 15, talk with your doctor.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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