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.
Spanish flu pandemic

Spanish flu pandemic

Spanish Flu Influenza Pandemic 1918-1920 :The 1918 influenza (Spanish flu) pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. Although there is not universal consensus regarding where the virus originated, it spread worldwide during 1918-1919.  In the United States, it was first identified in military personnel in spring 1918. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with this virus. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide.

Mortality was high in people younger than 5 years old, 20-40 years old, and 65 years and older. The high mortality in healthy people, including those in the 20-40 year age group, was a unique feature of this pandemic. While the 1918 H1N1 virus has been synthesized and evaluated, the properties that made it so devastating are not well understood. With no vaccine to protect against influenza infection and no antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections that can be associated with influenza infections, control efforts worldwide were limited to non-pharmaceutical interventions such as isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limitations of public gatherings, which were applied unevenly.

In 2008, after 90 years later of the pandemic, scientists discovered what made the flu deadly. Group of three genes enabled the virus to weaken a patient’s bronchial tubes and lungs and lead to the way for bacterial pneumonia.

Reference https://www.cdc.gov/

Main article: https://healthylife.werindia.com/your-road-to-healthy-life/pandemic-epidemic-diseases-in-the-world-history

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 27, 2020
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Asian flu pandemic

Asian Flu pandemic

Asian Flu Pandemic H2N2 Virus 1957-1958 :Asian flu caused by H2N2 virus was deadly pandemic in the year 1957. It was originated in China and claimed more than one million lives across the globe. The disease was caused by blend of avian flu viruses.

This Asian Flu virus also known as H2N2 virus was comprised of three different genes from an H2N2 virus that originated from an avian influenza A virus, including the H2 hemagglutinin and the N2 neuraminidase genes. It was first reported in Singapore in February 1957, Hong Kong in April 1957, and in coastal cities in the United States in summer 1957. The estimated number of deaths was 1.1 million worldwide and 116,000 in the United States.

Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/

Main article: https://healthylife.werindia.com/your-road-to-healthy-life/pandemic-epidemic-diseases-in-the-world-history

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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AIDS in the world

AIDS disease 1981- Present day

AIDS pandemic & epidemic disease 1981- present day :According WHO reports  since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, 75 million people have been infected with the HIV virus and about 32 million people have died of HIV. Globally, 37.9 million [32.7–44.0 million] people were living with HIV at the end of 2018. An estimated 0.8% [0.6-0.9%] of adults aged 15–49 years worldwide are living with HIV, although the burden of the epidemic continues to vary considerably between countries and regions. The WHO African region remains most severely affected, with nearly 1 in every 25 adults (3.9%) living with HIV and accounting for more than two-thirds of the people living with HIV worldwide.

AIDS so far claimed about 35 million lives. The virus HIV that causes AIDS was like developed in primates Chimpanzee and in 1920s transferred to humans in West Africa. Later virus entered other parts of the World in 20th century. About 64% of the estimated 40 million are living in HIV in sub Saharan area of Africa. The disease does not have a cure. But the medication and regular treatment helps those who infected with HIV to lead normal life. In early part of  this year it is said that, two people have been cured of HIV.

References: https://www.cdc.gov/,  https://www.who.int/ & https://www.cnn.com/

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

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Swine flu pandemic

Swine Flu Pandemic: 2009-2010

Swine Flu Pandemic: In the spring of 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged. It was detected first in the United States and spread quickly across the United States and the world. This new H1N1 virus contained a unique combination of influenza genes not previously identified in animals or people. This virus was designated as influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus. Ten years later work continues to better understand influenza, prevent disease, and prepare for the next pandemic.

The (H1N1)pdm09 virus was very different from H1N1 viruses that were circulating at the time of the pandemic. Few young people had any existing immunity (as detected by antibody response) to the (H1N1)pdm09 virus, but nearly one-third of people over 60 years old had antibodies against this virus, likely from exposure to an older H1N1 virus earlier in their lives. Since the (H1N1)pdm09 virus was very different from circulating H1N1 viruses, vaccination with seasonal flu vaccines offered little cross-protection against (H1N1)pdm09 virus infection.

Globally, 80 percent of (H1N1)pdm09 virus-related deaths were estimated to have occurred in people younger than 65 years of age. This differs greatly from typical seasonal influenza epidemics, during which about 70 percent to 90 percent of deaths are estimated to occur in people 65 years and older.

With more antiviral medications approved, recommended and available, treatment options have improved for both hospitalized patients with severe influenza and outpatients seeking treatment early for uncomplicated influenza.

Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/

Main article: https://healthylife.werindia.com/your-road-to-healthy-life/pandemic-epidemic-diseases-in-the-world-history

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Ebola epidemic disease

Ebola Epidemic Disease 2014-2016

Ebola Epidemic Disease 2014-2016 : Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare and deadly disease in people and nonhuman primates. The viruses that cause EVD are located mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. People can get EVD through direct contact with an infected animal (bat or nonhuman primate) or a sick or dead person infected with Ebola virus.

Ebola was first reported in Guinea in 2013 December month. Later it was spread widely in West Africa in the year 2014 and it was ravaged till 2016 causing 11,325 deaths and 28600 cases. The disease later quickly spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. Most ebola cases and deaths reported in these three countries. Other countries – Nigeria, Sengal, Mali, US and Europe also reported Ebola in these two years.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Ebola vaccine rVSV-ZEBOV (tradename “Ervebo”) on December 19, 2019. The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine is a single dose vaccine regimen that has been found to be safe and protective against only the Zaire ebolavirus species of ebolavirus. This is the first FDA approval of a vaccine for Ebola.

Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/ , https://www.who.int/ & https://www.livescience.com/

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

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Zika epidemic disease

Zika Epidemic 2015- Present

Zika Epidemic 2015- Present :Zika virus was first reported in Brazil. It became epidemic in February 2016. Group of scientists discovered temporal and geographical distribution of Zika virus from 1947 to Feb 2016. In October 2015, Brazil reported an association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly. Outbreaks and evidence of transmission soon appeared throughout the Americas, Africa, and other regions of the world. To date, a total of 86 countries and territories have reported evidence of mosquito-transmitted Zika infection.

  • Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day.
  • Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. Symptoms typically last for 2–7 days. Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms.
  • Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage.
  • An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated with Zika virus infection in adults and children, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy and myelitis.

 Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/ , https://www.who.int/

Image credit: www.cdc.gov (Free for commercial use) In this CDC photo, a laboratory technician looks into a sealed container of mosquitoes scheduled to undergo testing. In New Orleans, local experts collect mosquitoes for virus testing as part of a citywide mosquito surveillance program-CDC.

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Aloo chat recipe

Delicious aloo chat recipe

Feel like eating snacks? Try aloo chat or potato chat. It is an easy, popular snack served at many restaurants as a chat item as well as an entry dish.

Potatoes are nutritious root vegetables and rich in carbohydrates. Aloo chat contains about 250 calories per one serving.

Ingredients:

  1. Potatoes – 2-3 Large ones
  2. Green hili- 1 chopped
  3. Cumin powder – ½ tsp
  4. Turmeric – ¼ tsp
  5. Garlic – 1 tsp finely chopped
  6. Ginger – ½ inch finely chopped
  7. Chat masala – ¼ tsp
  8. Red chili powder – ½ tsp
  9. Oil – 1 Tbsp
  10. Salt – as per taste
  11. Cilantro -1/2 cup chopped
  12. Lemon juice – 1 tsp
  13. Thin sev- 3 Tbsp
  14. Pomegranate – 3 Tbsp
  15. Green chutney
  16. Tamarind chutney (optional)

Preparation:

  1. Wash and peel potatoes. Parboil potatoes so that potatoes don’t smash. Cool and cut potatoes to cubes. (You can also retain potato skin)
  2. Place a frying pan on medium heat, put oil. Add garlic, green chili and ginger – fry them.
  3. Add potato cubes and sauté till they turn crisp and golden-brown color. Turn off the heat. You can also deep fry potatoes.
  4. To hot crispy potatoes add chaat masala, chili powder, turmeric, cumin and salt.
  5. Add tamarind chutney, green chutney and little lemon juice to spicy potato cubes and mix well.
  6. Transfer potatoes to serving plate, sprinkle cilantro, sev and add pomegranate seeds.
  7. Serve aloo chaat with yogurt on side.
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 24, 2020
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Benefits of forest bathing

Forest bathing Shinrin yoku

Mother earth is amazing and it’s beauty is soothing especially when you enter a forest, fresh scent of trees, sunlight peeking through the trees gives us comfort.  Spending time in forest gives a feeling of fulfillment and, relaxes mind and body. 

Thomas Jefferson once said “I never knew the full value of trees. Under them I breakfast, dine, write, read and receive my company”.

Shinrin yoku  = “taking in the forest atmosphere” or forest bathing

Plants have always been part of our lives, without plants we cannot breathe and without plants we cannot have peace. Forest breathing is a divine technique that is used by Japanese for mindfulness and as a preventive medicine. In Japanese language Forest bathing is called Shinrin yoku . It was first developed in Japan in 1980 and has become a part of preventive medicine in Japan. Spending time under canopy of forest helps in different ways and all ways are positive. When we stressed out we face health issues. The magic of forest bathing helps us to recover from day to day stress life.

Phytoncides are pheromones type of allelochemical substances produced by plants and trees (Phyton = plant, cide =exterminate). These substances help plants to survive by keeping away insects and other pests. When we take a walk in forest and in between plants, we expose ourselves to these phytoncides. Phytoncides helps us to lower blood pressure, recover from stress and boosts immune system. Those plants that have phytoncides are always around us and we need to take time to introduce ourselves.

Plants like pine, sandalwood, tulsi, oak, basil, mango, cashew, onion, garlic, fruit trees and shrubs produce phytoncides.

When we walk in the forest and become one among the nature – the green scenery, soothing stream sounds, forest aroma and flowers brings peace to mind. We will become part of the calm nature. This helps mind and body to rejuvenate and feels refreshed. This is called forest therapy and forest bathing.

What happens when we walk in the nature and what is the benefit of shinrin yoku?

Research studies conducted on people who live in city and urban areas showed that exposing life to forest settings decreases cortisol level, lowers blood pressure, decreases anxiety and activity of sympathetic nerves with fight or flight reactions to different types of stress. Forest bathing also helps to control blood sugar level. When we walk in the forest, we try to connect ourselves to nature that does not ask favor from you. The benefit of walking in a quite environment helps to reduce sugar level. It brings changes in hormonal secretion and nervous system function associated with sugar metabolism.

Reduces body pain- Researchers at John Hopkins University School of Medicine studied the effect of nature and sounds on pain perception in clinical trial. The group that was exposed to nature scenery and sounds during biopsy felt safe and tolerated the pain during bone marrow biopsy! Rest of the two groups who were exposed to city scenery and sounds and, standard medical setting respectively, felt pain.

Anti-cancer activity -Studies also show that, forest environment enhances human natural killer cell activity (NK), the number of NK cells, intracellular anti-cancer proteins in lymphocytes. It means forest bathing reduces our chance of getting cancer tumors!

Improved concentration -Research also showed that, spending time outdoor in greenery helps to reduce ADHD in children. It improves concentration.

Improved sleep – another benefit of forest bathing. When our system feels relaxed and tension free we go to sleep in a peaceful mind.

Improved mood – Spending time in forest and with plants helps to improve moods. As they say plants does not talk back, plants only give love and life to humans.

To experience the benefit of forest bathing one should make it a part of regular practice. This gives us clarity in our goals, increases energy flow, increases capacity to communicate with nature and other species, increases mindfulness and brings overall happiness.

References:

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 23, 2020
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