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.
Remedies for menopause bloating

Remedies for menopause bloating

Bloating during menopause is due to hormonal changes.

Once the ovary stops producing estrogen and progesterone bloating, fullness and heaviness stops.

Bloating can give uneasiness, tiredness, sense of fullness, heaviness to body. It distracts mind too.

There are many OTC medicines are available to reduce menopause symptoms.

If you are looking for natural remedies here grandma has few recommendations.

  1. Ginger tea: One-inch ginger, one tsp lemon juice and honey. Add grated ginger to a cup of water and boil. Strain, add lemon juice and honey. Ginger & honey being anti-inflammatory and analgesic helps to reduce bloating.
  2. Peppermint tea: Peppermint has menthol which is antispasmodic. Boil water and steep few peppermint leaves in water for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink.
  3. Drinking plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps to reduce bloating. Drink enough water to keep cells hydrated.
  4. Cinnamon tea: Boil water and add either a tsp of cinnamon powder or cinnamon stick. Let it steep for 10 minutes. Add little honey and drink. This reduces gas.
  5. Garlic: Include garlic in diet. Garlic aids in purging the body of gas. It also increases metabolism that generally slows down during menopause.
  6. Natural probiotics: Adding Yogurt, buttermilk in diet helps too. These probiotics put good bacteria into work and reduces gas buildup and cramping of muscle.
  7. Changing diet: Avoid high sodium foods including pickles, deep friend items, beans, broccoli, milk and bread. Instead of full meals, reduce portion and breakdown your eating for small meals throughout the day. Eat when you are hungry, but opt for small meals.
  • In order to avoid water retention, reduce intake of parsley, celery, black tea and Coffee. Eliminate sugar intake. Reduce ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in take as too much of Vit C can stress kidneys and retains water in the body.
  • Eat more of asparagus, corn, cucumber, grapes, and watermelon may be helpful.
  • Include: Vitamins A, D, E and B12 in your diet.
  1. Exercise: Regular 30 minutes workout including walking, dancing, yoga helps to reduce bloating symptoms. Yoga poses that support digestive system will help to reduce abdominal bloating. Exercise and sweating relieves water retention from midsection.

How to deal with menopause? See here: https://healthylife.werindia.com/health-tips/menopause-alternative-treatment

Image credit: Photo by Mert Guller on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 30, 2018
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Multiple sclerosis in children

Multiple sclerosis in children

May 31st is World Multiple sclerosis awareness day. Do children suffer from MS and if so how serious is the condition and what are symptoms and treatments? To answer these questions, first we need to understand what is Multiple sclerosis and at what age it can appear?

Multiple sclerosis or MS is a neurological condition that effects nerves in the central nervous system –  spinal cord and brain. Sclerosis means hardening or scarring of patches of tissues. Multiple because these tiny patches happen at more than one place in the brain or spinal cord.  It is a common condition affecting young adults and three times more common in women than in men and diagnosis happens in their 20s and 30s. But, MS can be diagnosed in younger as well as older people.

Does MS affect children? Answer is yes. One in every 100 people with MS will experience the symptoms before the age of 10 and between 2 to 5 in every 100 people experience their first symptoms before age 18. Those who are diagnosed with MS might have had showed early symptoms of MS at young age.

Some of the important questions and answers regarding childhood MS are:

  1. Do children get MS?

Answer is yes. Some children show symptoms of MS in childhood but most in early adulthood. Reasons for causes probably same.

  1. What are the MS symptoms in children?

Weakness, problem with walking, problem with bowel and bladder control, change in vision, muscle spasms, numbness, sensory changes and tingling of body parts, tremors, difficulties with balance and coordination, weak leg muscles, anxiety, depression, difficulty in thinking- Children may also have seizures and lack of energy.

  1. What are the reasons to get MS?

Like many conditions MS is not inherited in predictable way and most people does not have family history of MS. Some genes might be present but not necessarily to exhibit MS. Before they reach puberty both boys and girls are diagnosed with MS. After puberty more girls are diagnosed with MS than boys which suggests that sex hormones changes play a part in getting MS.

  1. What are the types of MS?
  • Relapsing -remitting MS- around 85% have this type of MS with first signs of the disease in early 20s. Relapses happens after the first attack time to time and weeks or years to recovery.
  • Primary progressive MS – This gradually gets worse over time with no well-defined attack and little or no recovery.
  • Secondary progressive MS: Most people after living with relapsing-remitting MS for many years will get secondary progressive MS. Symptoms begin a steady march and no relapses /remissions.
  1. How childhood MS is different?

Irrespective of age, MS is different for each person. Generally, children will make a complete recovery after first attack but might experience more relapses than adults.

First signs of MS are different for children. It might start with a nerve disorder “acute disseminated encephalomyelitis or ADEM”. This includes headache, confusion, seizures, stiff neck, fever, no energy and will go away after few days/weeks.  These children will have physical disability at an earlier age. It might result in greater challenges in thinking ability and emotions that affect in their relationship with friends/peers, self-image and studies. About three quarters of children have fatigue and half of the children with MS experience anxiety or depression.

  1. What are the treatments for MS in children?

There is no cure for MS but treatments that are existing today can make child’s life better and suffer less. The goals of treatments are: to treat attacks, to prevent future attracts and to relieve all above mentioned symptoms of MS. Based on the symptoms and test results doctors will be able to suggest treatment options. Apart from some medications, treatment options include intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange. IVIG is a therapy that help people with weakened immune systems to fight infections and several different conditions including neurological diseases.

Some of the symptoms of MS might occur in other conditions too. Talk to your doctor and get your child’s health checked for MS with proper diagnosis. Occupational therapist (to treat fatigue), neuropsychologists (for cognitive symptoms), counsellors (to discuss the impact of MS on daily life), physiotherapists (to helps with walking, balance and tremor) –all will help to manage the condition.

7. How MS affects child’s life?

MS is a lifelong condition. There is no cure except managing the condition. Having a healthy lifestyle plays a bigger role. Eating balanced food, exercise, stress management, various activities with family and at school helps. It is natural for parents to be concerned about child’s future. Many children with long term MS conditions are living normal life with a good career, going to universities, starting a family. Parents need to focus on the time and positive energy that they can spend to help their child’s growth and development to shape child’s future life.

For more on childhood MS please visit:

Image credit: “Pacificon” by Liz Henry is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 24, 2018
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Nipah Virus Outbreak

Nipah Virus Outbreak!

Recently Nipah virus outbreak and several deaths has been reported from Kozhikode-Kerala, India.

According WHO report – fruit bats were found in an unused well near the family’s house along with some rabbits being bred that had died recently.

What is Nipah virus infection? From almost past 2 decades this Nipah virus is causing severe disease in both animals and humans. Natural host for this virus are fruit bats (Pteropus of Pteropodidae family).

Nipah name is originated from Sungai Nipah, a village in the Malaysian Peninsula where pig farmers became ill with encephalitis (1998). On this occasion, pigs were the intermediate hosts. In the 1999 outbreak, Nipah virus caused a relatively mild disease in pigs, but nearly 300 human cases with over 100 deaths were reported. To stop the outbreak, more than a million pigs were euthanized, causing tremendous trade loss for Malaysia.

However, in subsequent NiV outbreaks, there were no intermediate hosts. In Bangladesh in 2004, humans became infected with NiV because of consuming date palm sap that had been contaminated by excreta of infected fruit bats.

Human-to-human transmission has also been documented, including in a hospital setting in India. This year outbreak in India is like 2004 outbreak in Bangladesh.

Image credit: World Health Organization, www.cdc.gov, www.werindia.com, pixino.com, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hendra-distribution-map.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Flying-fox_(Pteropus_giganteus)_Bat_death_due_to_electrocution_IMG_9381_(1)..JPG, Image collages: Healthylife.werindia.com,

Nipah Virus Distribution Map: Click here to read more

Nipah Virus Distribution Map

Nipah Infection Symptoms: Click here to read more

Nipah Infection Symptoms

Nipah Transmission: Click here to read more

Nipah Transmission

Nipah Diagnosis: Click here to read more

Nipah Diagnosis

Nipah Infection Treatment: Click here to read more

Nipah Infection Treatment

Nipah Prevention: Click here to read more

Nipah Prevention

References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 23, 2018
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Today is tomorrow's yesterday

Today is tomorrow’s yesterday

Human mind wonders in the present, past and future. We always think about our future and what happens tomorrow. We give our best to be safe and happy tomorrow.

While focusing on tomorrow we also have tendency to lose focus on today which is present!

Sometimes we worry what is going to happen tomorrow and sometimes we also look forward for tomorrow.

Instead of keep worrying and destroying our happiness thinking about past and tomorrow, we should learn to live in the present and make best out of it.

How you should receive tomorrow? Here are few best quotes that can inspire you!

Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s problems. It will take away today’s peace – Anonymous : Instead of worrying find out solution, prepare your mind for the situation. “Hope for the best, stop worrying, start living”

tomorrow-healthylife-werindia

Always end the day wit positive thought: It helps to clear the mind and to start fresh next morning.tomorrowpositive-healthylife-werindiaMake good choices today: You will not regret it. Whether it is friends, job, career and anything – chose carefully!

regrettomorrow-healthylife-werindia

strongtomorrow-healthylife-werindia

Always stay strong. Express your opinion wisely. You may get hurt several times, but it is what prepares you for tomorrow and you will be strong enough to face life.

Yes, don’t forget today is going to be yesterday of tomorrow’s. Focus on solution and find out ways to handle any situation that might come in your way. Be confident and be strong!

todaytomorrow-healthylife-werindia

All images are copyrighted: www.Healthylife.werindia.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 21, 2018
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How to address bed wetting problem

How to address bed wetting problem in children?

Bed wetting can be due to medical issues or developmental issues in children. It is not uncommon in young children. Human body produces urine all the time regardless of how much water or liquid we consume.

Bed wetting experience is common in childhood and involuntary nighttime wetting can be seen in young boys and girls both.

Reasons for bed wetting: Heredity, high urine production, small bladder capacity, sleep disorder, food sensitivities (like carbonated drinks), constipation and irregular bowel movement. During young age bladder develops gradually.

  • Between the age 1 and 2 bladder slowly, gradually enlarges and bladder capacity is still small
  • Between 3 & 4 children learn to void, or inhibit voiding voluntarily
  • At age 5 majority children will have adult pattern urinary control

 Medical cause of bed wetting:

Bladder infection, Diabetes, Kidney infection, Bladder/urinary abnormality.

Before visiting pediatrician or physician understand child’s bed wetting problem

  • When the problem started?
  • How bad it is and how frequent?
  • Any medical condition?
  • Any protective undergarments?
  • Does child is scared or tend to be a heavy sleeper?

Parents discussion and talking to children can overcome the problem of bed wetting. Parents should follow some do’s and don’t while approaching the situation.

  • Tell your child not to worry
  • Do not punish your child for wetting
  • Don’t compare your child with other kids
  • Don’t’ restrict childs fluid intake
  • Make a visit to physician
  • Encourage child and boost confidence
  • Do set goals with child about reducing bedwetting and practice alarm use
  • Focus on child success and downplay any bedwetting incidents
  • Do pay attention to child’s progress and the treatment.

Further parents should note that:

  1. Restricting fluids: It is not that effective because, fluid consumption is not usually the cause of bed wetting problem. This may risk child’s health and child may suffer from dehydration.
  2. Punishment: Punishing child will lead to poor self esteem, increased anxiety and disturbs social skills
  3. Drug therapy: Some may be temporarily effective. Most children begin wetting once they stop medication.

How to help children?

  • One recommendation is to use bed wetting or moisture alarms as these devices train child to understand and recognize full bladder. The alarms success rate is higher and relapse is lower. Parents can select different types of bed wetting alarms.
  • Encourage children for bathroom trip before going to bed.
  • Create a positive incentive that act subconsciously and helps child to end bed wetting. Give a sticker on a grid chart every time child stays dry at night.
  • Constipation is a common cause of bladder problem. Pressure on bladder due to hard poop can lead to instability in the bladder and results in nighttime accident. Address constipation issue in child.
  • Help child remove any soiled protective bedding and replace with new, clean protection after incident. Encourage child to replace new ones in future. Keep towels and underpads near the bed.
  • Do not complain, scold and punish child for bed wetting. This will bring their self esteem low and will hurt their creativity and social and school days.
  • Talk to child and understand what is bothering her/him. Encouraging and discussing about certain issues will help them to overcome bed wetting.

References:

  • https://bedwettingstore.com/
  • https://www.parents.com/

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/1313792/child-sleeping-lying-sleep-baby-boy-people-background-fatigue (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 15, 2018
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We may be carrying our ancestors’ genetic memories

We may be carrying our ancestors’ genetic memories

Do we remember what our ancestors’ activities were like and what they experienced? There are many movies where we see generations experiencing and recalling memories of our long dead generations. What imaginations director and writer penned for films might be a reality – that is what recent studies are showing. We may be carrying our ancestors’ genetic memories !

We can relate or identify our behaviors with our parents, grandparents and great grandparents. We can reason our behavior and attribute it to our few earlier generations. It appears that the experiences which our ancestors lived 14 generations back are having an impact/effect on us now. A team of scientists lead by Barcelona’s center for Genomic Regulation and the Joseph Carreras Leukemia Research Institute say that based on their studies on nematode worms there is possibility that the genes of our ancestors have passed through several generations to give those memories back!

This observation is not made with humans. The theory and assumption is based on nematode research and the fact that the difference between humans and nematode worms’ genetic makeup is not much. Thus, there is a chance that an ancestor who was born few centuries ago might be still playing in our life with his/her memories. This is assuming that if human genetic makeup acts in similar manner as compared to genetic makeup of nematodes!

The basic genetics is that genes are inherited from parents and their parents to them. Changes to genome expression can be due to chemicals, environment, internal factors, psychological issues, chemicals, activities etc. In case, our ancestors experienced severe stress then gene expression –  would have changed. This information was stored in (DNA). This will be carried to next generation (epigenetic change) without altering gene sequence. Some researchers give example where ancestors who went through Dutch famine transferred the memories to future generation in the form of genes. Those descendants developed increased glucose intolerance in adulthood! Another example is descendants of Holocaust survivors who have lower levels of cortisol and can bounce back from a trauma.

The studies on nematode helps us to understand epigenetic inheritance because it demonstrates of long the epigenetic inheritance or inter-generational effects carry through in generations.

Studies on nematode and earlier in mice show that memories can be passed down to generations through these genetic changes and offspring inherit the memories and experience of their ancestors.  This study also may explain why some people suffer from irrational phobias, psychological conditions, undergo stress for small reasons – well, it might be based on inherited experiences and memories from their ancestors!!

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 27, 2018
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