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.
Closet organizer

Closet organization tips

Arranging closet is a skill. Once close is organized maintaining closet is also another work. Organizing and maintenance of closets at home is easy with tips.

Before organizing clothes hang hooks in the closet pointing towards you. After wearing something hang clothes and hook hangers in proper way. After 4 to 6 months if any clothes facing wrong way that means those clothes are ready to give away.

  •  Have light source in closet. Treat closet like rooms. Vacuum and keep it dust free
  • If you don’t have door for closet, put curtain instead of door.

closet-storage-clothes-healthylife-werindia

  • Turn around all the hangers in your closet so the hooks are pointing towards you (wrong way round). When you wear something, put it back with the hook the normal way. In six months, any hanger still facing the wrong way is holding an item you haven’t worn, ready for the donation bag.
  • Coordinated hangers are good to hang and organize clothes
  • Use old suitcases to store different season clothes. Suitcases are helpful to store linens, blankets or sweaters.
  • Store yoga mats in umbrella buckets.

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  • Hang gym clothes separately or fold and keep them in a separate basket.
  • Do not throw shoe boxes, store new shoes and socks in good boxes.
  • Keeping clothes of similar colors in one place helps you to select clothes easily
  • Buy rolling cart with coordinated boxes to store socks, undergarments, ties, kerchief, caps, hats etc.
  • Use suitcases elsewhere in the house to store out-of-season linens, blankets, or sweaters.

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  • If you are planning to store shoes in closet, line up shoes by color and point shoe toes forward. Keep casual shoes like athletic shoes, sandals in bins.
  • Arrange handbags with unused dust liners or store them in big basket
  • Seasonal coats like leather, furs in plastic garment bags that keeps away chemicals, air and dust. Transfer them into breathable linen covers that protect the quality of coats.

silk-saree-storage-healthylife-werindia

  • Keep few naphthalene balls for clothes protection especially if you are storing silk materials like silk sarees, silk shirts, silk skirts, scarfs.
  • If you have extra space or closet store your work items in that place.

Set a schedule to clean and organize your closets using these closet organization tips. This will save time while you get ready to work or when you must set out. Organizing closet helps you to select clothes easily and get ready fast. When you organize home your life will go much smoother and easily.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 5, 2019
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kill switch cancer cells

Cancer cells can commit suicide by kill switch

New discoveries and inventions in cancer research is happening almost everyday.  This year there are many promising research reports published by several Cancer Research Institutes across world. Earlier this month another research publication reveals a new discovery in human body “kill switch” that destroys cancer cells. Scientists have found a genetic kill switch that when activated destroys cancer cells.

Cells in animal body always created and killed. In human body about 300 million cells die every minute and replaced by new ones. Reason for this is to protect human body from aging and malfunctioning cells that could cause diseases. However, it is different with cancer cells as cancer cells does not care human immune system and its instruction for self-destruction.

Cancer cells can commit suicide by kill switch and kill code

Group of researchers at Northwestern University found a mechanism in human body by which every human cell can be programmed for self-destruction. This is similar to suicide action. Earlier this month these researchers found the genetic code that is essential for conducting this action sequence.

‘Researchers found small interfering RNAs that are capable of killing cancer cells’

Research work on this discovery was  published in Nature communication and eLife.  Study states that  the instructions of death of cells are available ‘as information’ in both large RNA and microRNAs.  During chemotherapy cancerous cells are activated to destroy.  Like this, scientists used small intergerning RNA type called (si)RNAs to initiate toxicity in cancerous cells. Researchers tested more than 4000 different combinations of nucleotide bases before finding the six nucleotides in RNA that destroy cancer cells. Earlier reports suggested that microRNAs can be introduced to cancer cells to trigger self-destruction!

According to Professor Marcus E. Peter, who is lead author of the published article “Now that we know kill code, we can trigger the mechanism without having to use chemotherapy and without messing with the genome. We can use these small (si)RNAs directly, introduce them into cells and trigger the kill switch”. This method is similar to immune system function because both utilize natural mechanisms of the body.

Worldwide cancer survival rates are promising than before. However, there is less progress when it comes to cancer treatment methods. In US alone 609,640 people die because of cancer. The most common cancers are lung, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, skin melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney and bladder cancer, pelvis & endometrial cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and thyroid cancer.

To treat cancer, specialists administer cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs in chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy has severe and painful side effects as it also damages healthy cells. Incorporating newly found molecular messengers can overcome chemotherapy side effects.

“My goal was not to come up with a new artificial toxic substance” said Dr. Peter in his statement.  “Improvements are often due to better detection methods and not to better treatments.” Present finding may be tapping into one of nature’s original kill switches and will help to cure many cancer types by disrupting the life of the cancer cells.

References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Managing life post delivery

Managing life post delivery

Post-delivery with a new family member addition to family brings several changes in parents life. Visitors who wants to see new born will come, more grocery shopping, attending to baby and finishing laundry etc. Adjusting to new baby as new parents is not that easy and is always a work in progress!

New parents especially face the challenge of staying organized. It takes many months to get used to new schedules. Baby’s things – toys, cloths including tiny socks, caps, feeding bottle, baby water, lotion, extra supplies all around house. All these things need to be organized almost everyday and kept in proper places. If one of the parents is going back to work, then more work will be added to regular schedule. Sleepless nights, baby’s crying, attending to baby’s needs will somewhat frustrating but everyone wants to enjoy the parenthood as much as possible. To enjoy parenthood with new born get organized and it will help both parents to relax and enjoy life without much stress while raising child. Managing life post delivery is easy with these tips

Breastfeeding: Nursing newborn is a job itself. Many mothers suggest having a breastfeeding station to make it comfortable not just for baby for mother too. It might take half an hour to one hour to feed baby and mother should be comfortable to sit. Get a seat that supports body, pillows to support baby, breast pads, cream, burp cloths, baby nail clippers (easy to do it while breastfeeding), water bottle, tissues, reading material, laptop or iPad, remote to listen music, a blanket and baby’s toys.

Bath time: Give a good massage to baby followed by bath. Baby’s generally going to sleep after hot water bath. While baby sleeping you can attend to house work. Once baby start recognizing faces they tend to be awake. You can think of taking shower with baby to save time.

Laundry and cleaning baby’s stuff: It is better to wash baby’s clothes separately. Put trash in one bag, baby’s clothes – dirty and clean in two bins, toys in one bag/bin, baby’s kitchen stuff in another small bin. Sorting like this will save your time to wash and clean. Some parents keep baby’s toys in few rooms and while baby is awake playing with toys, they can attend to their work which ever room baby is playing.

Baby proof area: Build a baby proof area where baby can crawl. Let it be padded and gated. Baby proof area near kitchen/dining room will help you to keep an eye on baby and finish your chores.

Getting sleep: Parents can sleep when baby is sleeping – it is best option to overcome sleepless nights. Keeping a baby monitor helps to track whether baby is awake or sleeping. Don’t neglect your sleep – get good amount of sleep. Taking turn with your spouse to look after baby helps too.

Heading back to work: If both parents must go back and rejoin the work then it is most difficult for most parents, leaving infants behind with someone. Seek your parents help and supervision. If you are using day care then make sure it is reputed and well known. While choosing baby sitters you must be extra careful. Leave necessary instructions and notes behind about baby’s needs – feeding time, sickness, sleeping time etc. Make sure your baby has all that needs – food, toys, medicines if any etc. Week end go for shopping and stack grocery.

Going out with baby:  Keep a bag that contains diaper, baby wipes, extra pair of socks, baby clothes, milk bottle, soft toys, tissues, towels, baby food jar and a plastic bag to fill dirty clothes. Keep this in your car trunk or carry with you when you go out with baby.

Visitors: Avoid inviting high maintenance visitors. You are already loaded with work and inviting visitors makes life bit more rough. Have visitors on certain days and when you feel your day is light then invite them. Don’t make it a party for few months. Let your body get used to house work and baby’s schedules. Don’t entertain guests unless it is someone, who is very close to you and willing to help with your chores.

Schedule: Have a proper schedule and keep it in your phone, on fridge and give it to your spouse. It will help you to remember pediatrician appointment, anything to buy, appointments, your needs for house and for personal use etc.

In every parent’s life baby’s are precious and holding baby in hand and looking at innocent face makes parents happy. Enjoy life with new born and watch your child growing. It is good to devote sometime to your child and same time don’t neglect your health too.

Image credit:Photo by Nynne Schrøder on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 4, 2019
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Ten global health threats of 2019

WHO – Ten Global Health Threats of 2019

WHO recently recognized Ten Global Health Threats of 2019 and its plan to combat the threats. Growing number of population and several reasons are posing many health challenges. Frequent outbreaks of several diseases including measles and diphtheria that are vaccine -preventable diseases, obesity, malnutrition, pollution, climate change, war and humanitarian crisis as well as the increase in drug resistance pathogens such as antibacterial resistance bacteria. the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines or vaccine hesitancy is also included in this list!

To face these health threats WHO has come up with a new strategic plan in 2019 ‘the 13th General Program of Work’. The goal of this plan is to address different health threats. This plan focuses on triple billion target to ensure one billion more people to get universal health coverage, one billion people to get protection from health emergencies and another one billion people to enjoy good health and wellbeing.  WHO has named following (see slides) ten issues that need attention.

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

#1 Air pollution and Climate change: Read more

Air pollution and climate change

 #2 Global Influenza pandemic: Read more

Influenza pandemic

#3 Non communicable diseases : Read more

Non communicable diseases

 #4 Fragile and vulnerable settings: Read more

Fragile vulnerable life settings

#5 Antimicrobial resistance: Read more

Anti microbial resistance

#6 Ebola and high threat pathogens: Read more

Ebola pathogens

#7 Primary health care: Read more

Global primary health care

#8 Refusal of vaccination: Read more

Vaccination refusal

#9 Dengue & #10 HIV/AIDS: Read more

Dengue and HIV

References:

  • https://www.who.int/emergencies
  • www.newsweek.com
  • www.healthylife.werindia.com
  • Images: World Health Organization, CDC.gov, Pixabay.com, Creativecommons.org, https://www.geshome.ph/, https://www.pinterest.es/pin/294071050651602078/
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 25, 2019
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Influenza pandemic

Global influenza pandemic

Global influenza pandemic :  If not treated world will face another influenza pandemic and we don’t know when it will happen globally. WHO is monitoring influenza virus’s circulation to detect potential pandemic strains. 153 Institutions in 114 countries are involved in global surveillance of influenza pandemic strains. Each year WHO takes step to recognize and recommends which strain of viruses should be included in the flu vaccine to protect population from seasonal flu. In case of new strains arrival WHO has set up plans to treat with vaccines and antibiotics especially in developing countries.

Image credit: www.cdc.com

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Anti microbial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance :Recent studies clearly indicated that there is an increase in antimicrobial resistance organisms including bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. These microbes are showing resistance to existing antibiotics, antiviral drugs which is a big source of concern. Reason is there are hardly any new antimicrobial drugs discovery happened in recent years and the drugs that are synthesized are improved version of the existing drugs. It means, microbes are threatening the population and anytime the infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea and salmonellosis can spread. It could seriously compromise surgery, and other procedures including chemotherapy treatment.

Drug resistance is caused by overuse of antimicrobials both in humans and animals. WHO is working to empower people with awareness and knowledge of infection, hygiene and encouraging less use of antimicrobials.

WHO noted that: “Resistance to tuberculosis drugs is a formidable obstacle to fighting a disease that causes around 10 million people to fall ill, and 1.6 million to die, every year. In 2017, around 600 000 cases of tuberculosis were resistant to rifampicin – the most effective first-line drug – and 82% of these people had multidrug-resistant tuberculosis”

Image credit: www.CDC.Gov (Free for commercial use)

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Vaccination refusal

Refusal of vaccination

Refusal of vaccination : Growing number of populations does not want to deal with vaccination. This vaccine hesitancy could lead to outbreak of vaccine preventable disease. It is one the cost-effective way avoiding disease. Because of reluctance and refuse several diseases in the global population is increasing. For example, Measles– has seen an increase of 30% globally!

In US many itself there is a growing number of populations whose ‘philosophical-belief’ lead to children getting not vaccinated. This is happening in Australia as well where nearly 40,000 children are unvaccinated due to philosophical belief of parents. In Italy has introduced new rules in 2018 suspending the mandatory vaccinations!

Reason for vaccine hesitancy is, either it could be inconvenience in accessing vaccines, lack of confidence. Physicians and other health workers must provide knowledge and develop trust of people by giving credible information regarding vaccines. In 2019 WHO will ramp up its work to eliminate cervical cancer worldwide by increasing Human papilloma virus vaccine. 2019 may also end transmission of polio virus both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. WHO is committed to support these countries to vaccinate every child to eradicate polio, the crippling disease for good!

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Dengue and HIV

Dengue and HIV

Dengue and HIV: are two threats added to the list. Dengue’s impact is more in tropical countries, AIDS has been in news from past few decades.

Dengue: Mosquito borne disease dengue is another huge threat to human beings. It is lethal and kill up to 20% of those who suffer from severe dengue. This number is high in both India and Bangladesh. This disease is spreading t less tropical temperature countries like Nepal. WHO is determined to reduce Dengue deaths by 50% by 2020.

HIV:  Million people dye every year because of HIV/AIDS. Since the beginning of epidemic more than 70 million people have acquired HIV infection and about 35 million people have died. As of today, 37 million people with HIV are surviving worldwide. Sex workers, people in prison, same sex marriage in men or transgender people are affected and it is a challenge to reach these people. One reason is these group of people are excluded from health services.

The progress made against HIV has been enormous in terms of getting people tested, providing them with antiretrovirals (22 million are on treatment), and providing access to preventive measures such as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP, which is when people at risk of HIV take antiretrovirals to prevent infection).  Young girls and women are particularly between age 15-24 are at high risk and account for 1 in 4 HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa despite being only 10% of the population. WHO will continue its support to introduce self-testing tool kits and to receive treatment in many countries. WHO and the International Labor Organization will support companies and organizations to offer HIV self-tests in the workplace.

Image credit: www.cdc.gov (mosquito image), https://www.aim-med.org/hiv-rna-test/ (HIV Test image)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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