All posts by Sumana Rao

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Quarantine lockdown home remedies

Must know Home Remedies During Quarantine And Lockdown

We all now know how difficult it is to take an appointment and visit doctor during the pandemic. If you are suffering from common conditions and need relief you can try some of the home remedies that do wonder for common conditions and makes you feel better.

For acidity:

  • Chew few tulsi leaves after your meal. This prevents acid reflux.
  • Place a clove in mouth and suck it. Clove juice helps to reduce acidity.
  • Gastric problem:
  • Swallow a garlic clove (medium size) in empty stomach in morning hours with water to reduce gastric issues.

Headache:

  • To get relief from headache, eat an apple. Being one of the healthiest fruit, apple helps to get rid of the migraine pain too.

Cough:

  • Mix few leaves tulsi, grated half inch ginger and one tsp honey and have it to reduce cough.
  • Chop one medium sized onion and place it in acontainer. Add two Tbsp honey, mix and cover the lid. Place container in hot water bath on low heat for an hour or so. Strain and consume onion-honey liquid 2-3 times a day.
  • Mix half tsp garlic juice with few pieces of tulsi leaves and one tsp honey. Take this 3 times a day.

Nausea:

  • Drink lemon juice with little salt, pepper and mint leaves.
  • Chew one or two cardamom
  • See here for more remedies for nausea and vomiting

Sore throat:

  • Best remedy for sore throat is salt. Do salt water gargling often to get rid of soreness in throat. You can also add turmeric with salt to warm water and gargle. Turmeric being antimicrobial will add more strength to liquid.

Breathing problem:

  • For simple breathing problem, perform steam inhalation. Add mint, clove and camphor in water, boil and take steam every 2 hours.
  • Practice pranayama 2 to 3 times a day

Digestion and bloating problem:

  • To get proper digestion, drink fennel water or chew a tsp of fennel seed after your meal and dinner. This will reduce gas and bloating.

Suffering from anemia:

  • Eat plenty of green vegetables. Eat dates to get back strength.
  • Consume glass of almond milk with date pieces.

To reduce body heat:

  • Eat cucumber, tomato and lettuce salad.
  • Drink buttermilk, lassi or yogurt drink
  • Drink water and keep body hydrated.

Blood pressure:

  • Drink pomegranate juice and bring down high blood pressure.
  • Reduce or say no to salt and follow DASH diet.
  • Include ginger and garlic in your diet. Consume sweet potato, pomegranate, banana and oranges

Burns:

Toothache:

  • Rinse mouth with salt water.
  • Use hydrogen peroxide to rinse mouth, this will help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain
  • Keep cold compress.
  • Place garlic clove inside where it pains
  • Apply clove oil in cotton and place it on tooth that hurts or place a clove to reduce pain.
  • Use guava leaves – chew fresh guava leaves or prepare tea with guava leaves, strain and rinse mouth.

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


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 28, 2020
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Covid-19 tested positive

What to do if you have suspected or confirmed for COVID-19

The increased number of sick people and deaths in every part of the world making pandemic Covid notorious. People are reporting more positive cases than before. On social media and TV channels we hear and see experiences of those who tested positive and asymptomatic for the disease, those who tested positive, fell sick and recovered. However people want to know what actions they should take if the tested positive and asymptomatic, tested positive and feeling sick. Center for Disease Control -CDC as given specific information regarding Covid quarantine and isolation, what we should do in case we tested positive and feel sick. Here is what CDC has to say – Healthylife.werindia.com

If you test positive for COVID-19, or get sick after you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, you can help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others. Please follow the guidance below. (https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDcasepositive.pdf )

Symptoms of COVID-19

  • Common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.

If you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and you have these symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider for a COVID-19 test.

Participate in a public health interview:

An interviewer from public health will contact you if you test positive for COVID-19, usually by phone. The interviewer will help you understand what to do next and what support is available. The interviewer will ask for the names and contact information of people you have had close contact with recently. They ask for this information so they can notify people who may have been exposed. The interviewer will not share your name with your close contacts.

Stay home except to get medical care

You should stay home except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Ask friends or family members to do your shopping or use a grocery delivery service.

Call before you go to the doctor

  • Tell your health care provider you have COVID-19, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. Put on a face covering before you enter the building. These steps will help keep people in the office or waiting room from getting sick.
  • Isolate yourself from people and animals in your home

People: As much as possible, stay in a specific room away from other people and use a separate bathroom if available.

Animals: Limit contact with pets and other animals. If possible, have a member of your household care for them. If you must care for an animal, wear a face covering and wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

How long should I isolate myself?

1. If you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and have symptoms, you can stop your home isolation

when:

  • You’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication AND
  • Your symptoms have gotten better, AND
  • At least 10 days have gone by since your symptoms first appeared.

2. If you tested positive for COVID-19, but have not had any symptoms, you can stop your home isolation

when:

  • At least 10 days have gone by since the date of your first positive COVID-19 test, AND
  • You have not gotten sick with COVID-19

Prevent the spread of COVID-19

  1. Wear a cloth face covering when you are around people or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face covering, people in your household should not be in the same room, or they should wear a face covering if they enter your room.
  2. Clean your hands often. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
  3. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Throw used tissues away and wash your hands.
  4. Clean “high-touch” surfaces every day, like counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, and follow the directions on the label.
  5. Don’t share personal items with anyone, including dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with people or pets in your home.

Monitor your symptoms

  • Get medical help quickly if your symptoms get worse (if you have breathing trouble, etc.). If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, tell the dispatcher that you have, or may have COVID-19. If possible, put on a face covering before emergency medical services arrive.

What’s the difference between isolation and quarantine?

Isolation is what you do if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive. Isolation means you stay home and away from others (including household members) for the recommended period of time to avoid spreading illness.

Quarantine is what you do if you have been exposed to COVID-19. Quarantine means you stay home and away from others for the recommended period of time in case you are infected and are contagious. Quarantine becomes isolation if you later test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms.

Contact your local helpline to get more information. The risk of COVID-19 is not connected to race, ethnicity or nationality. Stigma will not help to fight the illness.

Share accurate information with others to keep rumors and misinformation from spreading.

Read more at: www.CDC.Gov, https://www.doh.wa.gov/

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


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Herd immunity

Achieving herd immunity for Covid-19

Community immunity also known as herd immunity occurs when the community population becomes immune to a disease. Herd immunity happens either by vaccination or due to the increase in the percentage of immune people. With increase in immune people the likelihood of disease spread decreases.

Herd immunity occurs as people become immune to a disease (pandemic or epidemic disease). This can be achieved by either exposure or vaccination. With increase in immunity for a disease, the likelihood of an infected person infecting others decreases. It means the spread of infection will be low and it is because of the herd immunity.

Vaccination: Vaccination is a preventive measure for contagion. With administration of vaccine the immunization will be achieved in the population.

Mass infection: People who survive illness will become immune to future infection. It is like vaccination but could result in illness or death or both.

In past pandemic and epidemic diseases that occurred in world, we have seen emerging herd immunity. During the flu pandemic in 1918-1920, that devastated the world by death of more than a million people, as well as cholera in India for example, the world came together. Scientists found vaccine for such diseases and eventually achieved herd immunity.  Vaccination is critical to eradicate such deadly diseases. In case of polio and smallpox once herd immunity is reached many countries reported successful eradication of both diseases.

Herd immunity can happen when enough a given population recovers from a disease and develops antibodies against future infection.

COVID-19 & Herd immunity:

Is herd immunity can be achieved for Covid-19? According to scientists, relying on community infection to achieve herd immunity has several major issues. Issues such as there is no clear information about the infection and person’s immune to future infection regarding Covid virus. Generally, after an infection with certain type of coronaviruses, getting infected with same virus can cause mild infection in small percent of population. In case of Covid-19, it is yet to determine the protective effect of the antibodies to the virus for future infection.

Further, to achieve long lasting herd immunity for Covid-19, a large number of populations must get infected to reach that threshold. For example, in US alone more than 200 million people that is, 70% of the population must recover from the Covid-19 to put a halt on pandemic. However, when so many people get infected, it could lead to complications and deaths of millions. It also will have huge impact on health care system as it will be overwhelmed.

To achieve herd immunity there is critical need of vaccination.  Till then we all need to focus on slow transmission of Covid-19. To achieve this, it is crucial to protect all individuals who have pre-existing conditions and who are vulnerable to disease. Until we achieve herd immunity we must:

  • Avoid large gathering and events
  • Must wear masks when in public
  • Avoid close contacts
  • Stay home as much as possible. Avoid unnecessary travel or outing
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for minimum 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitizer when it is necessary
  • Cover mouth and nose using elbow while sneezing and coughing.
  • Avoid frequent touching of nose, face, eyes and mouth.
  • Do not share dishes, bedding, glasses and household items if you are tested positive and sick to Covid-19
  • Stay home if you are sick, do not go to school, college or work. Avoid all public transportation.  Call your doctor or health care system to get more information.

References:

https://www.bannerhealth.com/

https://www.historyofvaccines.org/

Image credit: Photo by Ronê Ferreira from Pexels (Free for commercial use)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 27, 2020
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Side effects of healthy vegetables

Side effects of popular veggies

Side effect of popular veggies – All vegetables and fruits are good for health. Each vegetable and fruit give unique benefit to human’s health. Reason for this is the chemical and nutrient constitution of each plant. People drink detoxifying juices and salads in the intention of keeping healthy weight and sometimes one will go to the extreme dieting by eating only certain vegetables and drinking specific juices, smoothies, or herbal teas to be fit and healthy. Most of the time we assume that eating certain vegetables or fruits in higher quantity can only yield good benefits to our health. Well, this is not correct all the time. Those good produces and our favorite vegetables that we eat everyday can lead to certain – even harmful side effects if taken in either large quantity or not consumed in right way. This is true with certain supplements too and we all know that when taken with certain medications, supplements can interfere with those drugs.

It is necessary to know few facts mentioned below about green produces that we eat fondly –

  • How much is too much and what should be the amount per serving
  • Is it safe to consume certain vegetables, fruits, and supplements in specific health conditions?
  • What are the side effects one can expect and why
  • What precautions one should take before consuming certain produces
  • If there is side effect what action should be taken
  • Image credit: Photo by Sophie Dale on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Side effects of Indian Bitter gourd – Read more

Side effects of bitter gourd

Side effects of Fenugreek – Read more

Fenugreek side effects

Side effects of Eggplant – Read more

Side effects of eggplant

Side effects of Cucumber Read more

Side effect of cucumber

Side effects of GingerRead more

Side effect of ginger

Side effects of TurmericRead more

Side effect of turmeric

Side effects of SpinachRead more

Side effect spinach

Side effects of BeetrootRead more

Side effects of Beetroot

References:


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Side effects of bitter gourd

Side effects of Indian Bitter gourd

Side effects of Indian Bitter gourd: Indian bitter gourd consumed in different forms – curry, juice, sambar, chips etc. It is most popular vegetable with Diabetic patients. It has insulin like compounds in the form of charantin, peptides and alkaloids that brings down sugar level. It belongs to cucumber family.

  • Can interact with medicines: Bitter gourd is good for diabetic patients in regulating sugar level. But, can interact with diabetic medicines.
  • Irregular heart beat: It prevents clogging arteries. But at higher dosage can increase heart beat
  • Stomach upset: Both in adults and children it can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting.
  • Hypoglycemic coma: Consuming too much bitter gourd can result in danger of bringing blood sugar level very low and cause hypoglycemic coma,
  • Inflammation of liver: Due to its bitterness, it can cause liver inflammation by increasing liver enzyme secretion (also known as atherosclerosis)
  • Risk of favism: It can lead to anemia, headache, fever, and abdominal pain as it is not suitable for people who suffer from deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
  • In pregnant women it can induce bleeding, contractions, and miscarriage

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bitter_gourd.jpg

Tenbon / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) (Image modified to fit the slide)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Side effects of Fenugreek

Side effects of Fenugreek

Side effects of Fenugreek: Fenugreek seeds and leaves both are edible – seed powder, leaves fritters, sambar, curry etc.

  • Urine and body odor: Higher dosage of fenugreek results in strange body odor and urine odor
  • Lose motion: Eating fenugreek leaves and seeds known to cause motion. In excess it can result in lose motion. Lactating mothers need to be careful while consuming fenugreek leaves or seeds.
  • Hypoglycemia: While it is good for diabetic patients, it can also cause hypoglycemia or lowering sugar level. It can result in seizure and brain damage.
  • Allergy: In some rash, hives, fainting types of reaction can happen, and it is common symptom.
  • Uterine contraction: Pregnant women should not exceed fenugreek dosage as it might cause early labor due to presence of oxytocin.

Other side effects: It can cause irregular breathing, thyroid abnormality and might interfere with drugs and can seriously bring down sugar level causing death.

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/1195345/fenugreek-methi-fresh-green-indian-leaf-asian-vegetable-white (Free for commercial use)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Side effects of eggplant

Eggplant side effects

Eggplant side effects: Eggplant is consumed in many ways: stir fry, sambar, curry, added to soup, grilled, pizza topping etc. It belongs to nightshade family.

  • Acid reflux and acidity: Eggplant can cause acidity especially during pregnancy
  • Allergy: Sometimes hives, rashes and redness of eyes can happen because of eggplant consumption. It also includes throat itching, nausea, and skin rashes.
  • Potassium and fiber content: These two contents in eggplant are beneficial for us. However, in excess it can cause stomach upset, vomiting and hyperkalemia.
  • Spinach poisoning: Eggplant also has good number of nitrates like spinach. However, when reacts with certain amino acids it can form nitrosamines that when in room temperate increases bacterial activity and converts nitrate to nitrite. This is not good for young children.
  • Interference with drugs: Especially with antidepressant drugs eggplant might not go well. Chemicals in eggplant might interfere with chemical reaction of drugs inside body.
  • Tumor testing: Eggplant has serotonin which is also secreted by carcinoid tumor. When someone wants to go for carcinoid tumor test, they must not consume eggplant 72 hrs. prior to avoid false result.

Image credit; Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)


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Side effect of cucumber

Side effects of cucumber

Side effects of cucumber: Cucumber is used in salad, juice, soup, curry etc.

Sometimes cucumbers taste bitter. Bitterness is because of compound called cucurbitacin. Cucurbitacin and tetracyclic triterpenoids are detrimental if consumed in large quantities.  If you taste the bitterness after eating cucumbers and it is very unpleasant and nasty, spit it out and stop eating it as it can cause severe illness and side effects (see here – Toxic squash syndrome)

It can cause severe stomach ache, diarrhea, dehydration, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and severe hair loss – these are some of the symptoms of illness and side effect of toxic squash syndrome.

Image credit: Photo by Lo from Pexels (Free for commercial use)


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