All posts by Sumana Rao

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Indoor plant care

Tips to keep indoor plants happy during winter

Indoor plants not only help decorating house, also give clean environment inside the house. During winter time change in light and lower temperature has impact on indoor plants. It is hard for many indoor plants to adjust and survive. Plants need help in adjusting to changed weather conditions to survive.

Here are tips to keep indoor plants happy and healthy during cold, winter days.

 

  • Light: During winter days day light is short and temperature inside house drops. Light levels near windows also drops. Transfer plants near windows that are in South or West side of the house. During winter both these directions will have more filtered light that is like summer and will be able to withstand direct Sun.
  • Artificial light: Fluorescent bulbs give good amount of light for plant growth. Look for plant lights and position bulbs half feet away from plants.
  • Clean windows: Dusty, dirty windows will hold sun rays entering through windows. Before winter sets in and shifting plants, clean windows and let light fall on plants without any block.

 

  • Remove dust from plant leaves: Dust off plant leaves using water or duster. Clean will absorb light easily.
  • Humidity: Humidity is less during winter. Indoor plants near 40-50% humidity to be healthy. If not, insect pets will survive on plants. Place humidifier often in the plant rooms.
  • Temperature: Temperature inside house should be between 66 to 73 F during day, if temperature is below 62 F plants will wilt and die. If you have heat vents, do not place plants near heat vents.
  • Watering: Do not overwater plants. When the soil is dry up to 2 inches water plants. Another way to test is, when there is not enough water and soil is dry, pot feels lighter. Wet soil adds weight to pot. Some plants need watering consistently. Ferns and citrus plants need water. Do not allow water to collect in in drainage saucer as it can root health.
  • Pruning: Winter growth gives less leaves and longer stem. Cut plant tips to promote side branching.

 

  • Repot: Adding new soil or changing soil of indoor plants should not be carried in winter. Wait for spring or summer.
  • Fertilizer: In harsh winter do not fertilize indoor plants. You can add fertilizers to soil during spring when other plant start coming up. If winter is mild where you live, then fertilize plants once or twice a month.

Keep indoor plants healthy and happy. This not only adds beauty to house, also gives positivity in your life and helps to beat winter blues.

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 29, 2018
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Cataract Vision

Must know answers to your cataract questions

As we get old our eyes start getting more blurred and vision becomes poor. Either we will need reading glasses to read or may end up permanent eye glasses for all types of work. The common reason for this change in eye vision is development of cataract in one eye or both eyes.

Must know answers to your cataract questions:

Cataract is a clouding of the eye lens that affects the vision and is very common in elderly and older people. By the age 80 most of elderly population throughout the world will face this problem and many will undergo cataract surgery. Most cataracts that occurs are related to aging. However, at age of 40-50 one can get cataract based on several conditions and exposure of eyes to various situations.

What exactly is lens? Lens is the clear part of an eye that helps to focus light, an image on the retina. Retina is the light sensitive tissue present at the back of the eye. In a normal eye, light passes through the lens to retina. In retina light, will be changed to nerve signals and send to the brain. Lens must be clear to perform their work and to receive sharp image by retina. If the lens is cloudy we get distracted images. The cloudiness is nothing but cataract.

Causes of cataracts:

Lens is present behind the pupil and the iris and works as camera lens. It adjusts the eye’s focus and helps us to see things clearly from far and closer distances. Human eye lens is made of water and protein. Proteins are arranged in such a way that they keep lens very clear for passing of light through lens. As we age some of the proteins will clump together and accumulate appear as cloud. This is called cataract. Initially cataract will be small and grows larger as we get old and completely covers the lens making them hard to see.

Some other causes support cataract development: Smoking, conditions like diabetes, wear and tear of the protein in lens, eye abuse, exposure to more UV light, hot weather, addiction to alcohol etc. Cataract also can be due to high steroid use!

 What happens to the vision?

  • Blurred and duller vision due to protein clumping’s and cloudiness
  • Lens will change color to yellowish/brownish color with brownish tint to vision. Person will be unable to distinguish certain color: Purple or dark green or blue may appear as black color

Symptoms: Common symptoms of cataract are:

  • Cloudy or blurry vision.
  • Faded color vision – unable to distinguish colors
  • Glare of lights: Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.
  • Poor vision during evening and night.
  • Double vision or multiple images in one eye
  • Frequent prescription changes of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

All the above symptoms can be of cataracts or other eye problem too.

Cataract detection: Through eye exams – eye care professionals will perform tests on your vision and will check health of your eyes.

What are other types of cataracts one can have?

  • Secondary cataract: Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Or people who have conditions such as diabetes.
  • Traumatic cataract. Eye injury may result in cataract after few years too.
  • Congenital cataract. Babies may have born with cataract in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
  • Radiation cataract. Exposure to certain types of radiation results in cataract.

 Treatments:

  • Symptoms during early stages may be improves with new eyeglasses, bright lights, anti-glare sunglasses or one can use magnifying lenses to reduce stress on eyes.
  • Surgery is only effective treatment for cataract – it involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing with artificial lens. During surgery, lens inside the eye that has become cloudy is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (intraocular lens) to restore a clear vision
  • Cataract will be removed only when it interferes with a person’s everyday activities – driving, reading, tv, or stress in eyes.
  • If any of these measures does not help talking to doctor and understanding the pros and cons of cataract surgery is better. Doctor’s suggestion will help to make right decision – to go through surgery immediately or it can wait.
  • Cataract need to be removed immediately or as soon as possible only in those cases where a person is facing age -related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
  • How effective is cataract surgery: It is one of the common surgery people undergo in the world. And is considered as the safest and most effective type of surgery. It will help in regaining clear vision. It is like removing the dust accumulated on the mirror.

What are the risks of cataract surgery?

  • May be infection, bleeding are two types of risk one can expect. If the person has any condition, during surgery time he/she may need to stop take medication that interferes with bleeding during surgery. Washing hands and keeping away from dust particles is very critical after surgery or infection may develop. A slight risk of retinal detachment if one already has high myopia or nearsightedness. This retinal detachment is a medical emergency and must be attended by a surgeon as soon as possible. Your eye must be examined by an eye surgeon as soon as possible.

How to take care of vision?

  • Stop smoking – if you are a smoker
  • Reduce alcohol consumption
  • Wear sunglasses and a hat to block UV light exposure
  • Eat green leafy vegetables, fruit and foods rich in antioxidants. All orange and yellow color fresh produces are good. Consume food that are rich in Vitamin A.
  • Include carrot in your diet: Carrots contain beta carotene. Our body converts beta carotene to a type of vitamin A called “retinal,” – it is a key molecule involved in maintaining normal vision.
  • Go through eye exam once in 3 to 4 years between age 20-35. After 35 have an eye checkup – dilated eye exam once in two years.
  • As you age, ask your doctor to check for age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other vision disorders. Early treatment for many eye diseases may save your sight.

References:

  1. http://www.allaboutvision.com
  2. https://nei.nih.gov
  3. Image credit: https://www.retinaspecialistsnj.com/surgical-treatments/cataracts
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 27, 2018
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Neem flower rice

Tasty Neem Flower Masala Rice

Neem is one of the most popular medicinal plant and has several health benefits. To understand the health benefits of neem plant please read this article in grandma’s remedies category.

Today we are presenting a tasty Neem flower masala rice recipe. It is easy to prepare and has unique taste and nutty flavor into it.

Ingredients:
1. Cooked rice – 1.5 cup
2. Dried neem flower – 2-3 Tbsp
3. Cashew – Few
4. Pepper – Crushed 2 tsp
5. Curry leaves – Chopped ½ cup
6. Salt – As per your taste
7. Clarified butter or ghee – 1 Tbsp
8. Grated coconut – ¼ cup
9. For seasoning – 1 tsp urad daal, 1 tsp chenna daal, 1 tsp mustard, chopped 2 green chillies
10. Chopped cilantro -1/4 cup
11. Asafetida – pinch

Preparation:
Dry neem flowers are available in stores. If not, collect neem flowers, rinse in water and dry under sunlight for 3-5 days.
1. Heat a pan under medium heat and add ghee.
2. To heated ghee add cashews and seasoning items.
3. Add dried neem flowers and curry leaves and roast it for couple of minutes.
4. Add crushed pepper and asafetida continue mixing under low flame
5. Add cooked rice and salt, mix well under low flame.
6. Now add chopped coriander leaves, grated coconut, and little lemon juice (option).
7. Turn off the heat and serve neem flower rice with your choice of raita.

Adding few fried buttermilk chillies adds more taste to neem flower masala rice

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Diabetes Complications

How to manage diabetes complications

Thanks to awareness and guidance, people with diabetes are living longer with much lesser complications. Diabetic patients are leading a normal life. Better control of risk factors are helping them to take precautions and take control of their lives. In past few years the major complications associated has come down throughout the world. As per CDC there is a decline in heart attack and stroke – the two complications associated with diabetes. However, there is an increase in number of diabetic in the world. It means, for people who suffer from both type 1 & type 2 diabetes, it is important to learn how to manage complications associated with diabetes.

Complications associated with diabetes acts on health and still millions of people are suffering from the complications. The reason for suffering is, one complication can make other complications worse. People with diabetes who has high blood pressure can suffer from kidney conditions. An increase in bad cholesterol leads to heart conditions and increases risk of stroke.

The major diabetes complications are listed below. Taking note of these complications could help diabetic person to prevent further complications arising from these diabetes complications.

Heart disease and stroke: Diabetic patients are more at risk of having heart disease or a stroke. Giving attention to diet, exercise can help them.

Blindness and other eye problems: Diabetic retinopathy or damage to blood vessels of retina, cataract, glaucoma can result in loss of vision. Early detection helps them to save their eye.

Nerve damage: It is one of the common complication – the numbness, pain and sometime disabling can result in unresponsive nerves. Nerves present in legs and feet often suffer from this condition and can be seen in digestive system and heart. Regular check up and monitoring nerve system helps to take care of nerve complications.

Kidney disease: An increase in blood sugar level damages kidney and causes chronic kidney condition. It gets worse and results in failure if not treated. As per reports about 1 in 3 adults have this complication. Earlier treatment can save the kidneys.

Amputation: Damage of blood vessels and nerves is another complication arises in high diabetic condition.  This leads to hard to treat infections and ganglions. To stop spreading infection, amputation might be the only option in many. Taking control of blood sugar and giving attention to feet and leg helps to prevent amputation process.

Gum disease: Increased blood sugar leads to tooth loss and increases chance of gum disease. Gum disease increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Going through dental checkup helps to reduce gum disease complication.

Depression: Mental health problem arises with risk of growing blood sugar level. Depression worsens diabetes and vice versa. Learn to manage stress.

Gestational diabetes: In women diabetes development during pregnancy can cause serious complication for both mother and babies. This include high blood pressure, birth related trauma and birth defects.

To prevent all above mentioned complications follow a healthy lifestyle that includes – healthy diet, managing stress, exercising regularly and go for regular checkups. Controlling blood pressure has higher benefits – it reduces risk of heart conditions as much as 50% and risk of eye, nerves and kidney by 33%.

Be physically active and get into a habit of exercising 30 minutes everyday.

If you are overweight lose weight by portion control, reducing fatty foods.

Take prescription medicines regularly. Watch for any change in symptoms related to your condition.

Learn and practice ABC’s (ref: CDC)

A: Get a regular A1C test to measure your average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months; aim to stay in your target range as much as possible.

B: Try to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg (or the target your doctor sets).

C: Control your cholesterol levels.

s: Stop smoking or do not start.

Learn to manage your stress levels. Practicing meditation and yoga helps.

Learn how to check your blood sugar level at home. Keep regular appointment with your doctor and follow the advice.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/

Image credit: Photo by PhotoMIX Company from Pexels (CC0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 15, 2018
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Athirasam sweet for Diwali

Athirasam sweet for Diwali

This year on the occasion of Diwali – Festival of light,  try preparing delicious athirasam at home.  Athirasam also known as kajjaya is a traditional sweet of India. In Southern states of India this sweet is popular. It is made of rice flour and jaggery. It tastes very delicious and popular amongst all age groups.

Ingredients:

  1. Raw Rice – 1.5 cup
  2. Jaggery- 1 cup
  3. Water – 1 cup
  4. Cardamom powder – 1 tsp
  5. Sesame seeds – 1 tsp
  6. Ghee – 1 Tbsp
  7. Oil – For frying

Method:

  1. Soak raw rice for least 2 hours. After 2 hours drain the water and spread soaked rice on paper towel or clean think cloth. Let excess water drain.
  2. Grind rice to powder form with cardamom. Sieve and keep it aside
  3. Powder jaggery and dissolve in water. Filter jaggery to remove impurities.
  4. Boil jaggery to get a soft syrup consistency. To test the consistency, take a cup of water and add little boiled jaggery into it. If you can collect jaggery from water, then it is the desired consistency for athirasam. This is the important step of preparing athirasam.
  5. Add hot jaggery syrup to rice flour mix. Mix both well. There should not be any knots. Cover the athirasam base with paper towel or plate for few hours.
  6. After few hours knead the mix and store in a cool place for a day.
  7. After a day knead the mix again and prepare small lemon size balls.
  8. Apply little oil on banana leaf and flatten the balls using your fingertips.
  9. Apply sesame seeds on both sides of flattened athirasam mix.
  10. Heat oil on medium heat and gently slip the flattened athirasam mix inside hot oil. Fry the athirasam till it turns golden brown color.
  11. Remove athirasam and place on paper towel to remove excess oil.

**Do not use newspaper to remove excess oil as newspaper ink will stick to athirasam and not good for health.

Cool and store athirasam in an airtight container or serve hot athirasam on festival occasion.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 6, 2018
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Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma

November is Mesothelioma awareness month. Mesothelioma is an aggressive, rare form of cancer. It develops in the lining of lungs, heart and abdomen. According a report by CDC (Centers for Disease Control, 2017) 2,400 to 2800 people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the US alone each year.

Who is at higher risk of developing mesothelioma?
People who have worked or exposed to asbestos have higher risk of developing this rare form of cancer. ! Exposure, inhalation or swallowing asbestos fibers. If a person comes in contact with asbestos while working or by other means, it can take 20-50 years to appear! Men are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma. It can affect their abdomen, lungs, heart and testes.
Is there a cure?

As per Mesothelioma experts, the life expectancy of patients who suffer from this cancer, is poor as there is no cure for the disease. Key factors that play role in chance of a patient survival are – cell type, stage of the disease and location of tumor(s). Other factors like patients age, overall health also play crucial role in prognosis.

Types of Mesothelioma:
Pleural Mesothelioma: It is the most common type of mesothelioma and is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Every year nearly 2500 people are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in US. Asbestos is the definitive cause. After diagnosis and cancer treatments life expectancy of patient can be average 6 to 12 months.
Symptoms: Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma might appear anywhere from 20 to 50 years. Asbestoses fibers will stick to lungs during exposure causing inflammation and scarring overtime. As scarring worsens tumors develop and person will have problem in chest and respiratory system. Pleural effusion or fluid buildup in pleural cavity is one of the most common system. Excess fluid interferes with lung and other neighboring organs functions.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, fluid in lungs, dry cough, weight loss, fever, fatigue and night sweats are some of the symptoms.
X-Ray, CT scans, PET or MRI helps to find potential tumors.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: It is found in peritoneum membrane of abdomen. It is the second most form of mesothelioma type. This type of mesothelioma is very rare. Survival rate of patients is better due to new treatments like hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Cell type, tumor size, stage of cancer, gender and age plays role in survival of patients.
Symptoms: Inhalation and ingestion of asbestos fibers results in lodging of the fibers in peritoneum causing irritation scar tissue. Damaged cells develop tumors.
Abdominal pain, swelling, anorexia and weight loss, fluid in peritoneal cavity, night sweats, blood clotting, fever, intestinal obstruction, inflammatory lesions are some of the symptoms.
Diagnosis is by CT scans, X-rays, blood test (to rule out the other conditions), biopsy.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: Extremely rare form of mesothelioma. Cancer develops in pericardium membrane around the heart. Prognosis of this cancer is extremely poor and in most cases autopsy reveals the cause of death! Each year about 50 people are diagnosis with this type of mesothelioma.

This type sometimes forms secondary tumors in the body. Pericardial mesothelioma has the worst life expectancy and it could be up to 6 months. Very few cases so far reported on this type of cancer. Stage, cell type, age and gender play crucial role in survival. patients who suffer from this experience metastasis or adenocarcinoma.

Symptoms: It takes many years for symptoms to appear. It develops in between two layers of delicate membrane around heart. Researchers are unsure how the asbestos fibers reach the heart membrane. Tumors thickens the membrane and limit the function leading to improper heart functioning.
Chest pain, night sweats, irregular heartbeat, fluid collection, difficulty in breathing, heart murmurs, low BP, heart compression, inflammation of pericardium are symptoms.
Diagnosis of this cancer type is difficult. CT scan, x-rays might help to find pericardial effusion or any visible tumors. Biopsy is correct way to find the disease.

Treatments:
Like other cancer types, mesothelioma treatment depends on stages (1 to 4). For all mesothelioma standard treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiations. Newer treatments are part of research and clinical trials and might be available for patients who does not respond to conventional therapies.
Some patients may show improvement and their life expectancy might improve significantly after receiving the treatments.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. If you or your close ones who worked with asbestos or in the close vicinity of asbestos and show above symptoms, then talk to your doctor. Your doctor will recommend you what should be your next step.

References:
https://www.cancer.org
https://www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma
https://www.maacenter.org/mesothelioma/

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 5, 2018
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Parent child playtime bonding

Playtime helps in parent child bonding

Young children and toddlers look forward to spending time with parents. If you see, these young children prefer playing with parents who make their playtime fun. When asked who your best friend is, many young children will say ‘my dad is my best friend or my mom is my best friend!

Playtime is when child expresses emotion, communicates, bonds, and learns a lot on several topics. Playtime plays a significant role in parent child bonding. Playtime helps in parent child bonding.

Parents might find it hard to engage child during playtime. The problem of keeping them excited and engaged is more challenging during school holidays. How to make playtime more fun for your child and be a best playmate? Here are few suggestions:

  1. Play outside: When you play outside in garden, woods, beach, river side, it creates a memory in child’s mind. They love outside world and want to be with nature. It can be watching butterfly, looking at flowers, hide and seek in garden, building sand castle etc.
  2. Let child chose: Instead of you deciding on what to play, allow your child to decide. Your job is to help them make decision. Ask them what they want they want to do. Let them take charge. By deciding they will start making right decisions and it improves their communication skill.
  3. Give attention: During playtime, it is important to give undivided attention. You have made a commitment and you need to honor it. A child may be young, but child’s mind can grasp and notice everything that is happening around them. If you do not pay attention while playing their enthusiasm of playing will go away. When you give attention, they play with confidence and will learn many more things.
  4. Have your friends’ kids join the play dates: Once a while invite your friends children close to your toddler’s age. Ask your child to share toys. his will teach child fun of sharing. Child will learn social skills and will make friends. Creating such opportunities is the ideal way to bring positive relationship in child’s life.
  5. Include your other family members: Rope in your family members – child’s grandparents, your husband, and any other family members to play in turns. Child will learn to enjoy the company and will be more accustomed to the idea of playing amidst of people.

Being your child’s playmate makes your child’s little world happier. Children will learn invaluable lessons from playtime with parents. The fear of moving around, outdoors and people will go away. It also teaches discipline and importance of physical activity. Parents involvement in early childhood makes significant contribution in a child’s life. Be a good playtime partner and enjoy parenthood!

Image credit: Image by Neil Dodhia from Pixabay

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 1, 2018
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