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.
Ear infection in children, why?

Ear infection in children, why?

Most young children and toddlers suffer from ear infection. If not given immediate attention this might result in loss of hearing and other problems.

Ear infection is one of the most common reason of parents visit with child to doctor! Children suffer from ear infection often than adults.

Ear infection is inflammation caused by bacteria in the middle ear. Bacteria infect the fluid behind the eardrum.

Symptoms of ear infection:

  • Crankiness and crying
  • Fever
  • Yellow or white fluid draining from ear
  • Clumsiness or balancing problem
  • Trouble in hearing or problem hearing quiet sounds
  • Itching and pulling of the ear
  • Reduced appetite
  • Unpleasant smell from ear
  • Difficulty in sleeping

Scientific name of ear infection “otitis media or OM”. There are 3 different types of ear infection.

  1. Acute otitis media (AOM): One of the most common ear infection. It is commonly called earache. Child might also get fever. Infected middle ear swells, turns red and fluid traps behind ear drum
  2. Otitis media with infusion (OME): When fluid stays trapped behind after ear infection. Cold, sore throat or upper respiratory infection might happen. Doctor will be able to see the trapped liquid.
  3. Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME): When the fluid remains in the middle ear for longer time children’s hearing gets affected.

Reasons for ear infection in children:

Bacteria are main reasons for ear infection. Both bacteria and viruses are responsible too.

Normally any fluid that enters the eardrum area drains quickly through tubes called eustachian tubes.. Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to back of nose and throat. These tubes are short and horizontal in babies compared to adult ears and babies are more prone to get infected.  It eustachian tubes blocked (during cold, throat infection, allergies, sinus) then the fluid gets trapped in the middle ear. Microbes like to grow in dark and wet area. Bacteria takes this place and causes inflammation behind eardrums.

Research studies also say using pacifier can increase infection risk. One should take proper precaution of cleaning pacifier.

Treatment:

In many cases infections clear up on their own. Pediatricians recommend before starting antibiotics it always better to wait and see whether the symptom reduces on its own.

Consult your doctor if you feel symptoms are severe and child is not happy. Doctors check child’s eardrums movement. If the movement of eardrum not there, it means fluid is collected and infected.

If baby is 6 months old, doctor might give mild infant pain killers to relieve pain. Don’t give any medicine to baby until you contact your pediatrician.

If your child is not doing better after 48 to 72 hours, doctor might suggest antibiotics. If so, complete the full course. If not, infection will not reduce and you won’t know how the medicine worked for your child.

Before trying any home remedies please consult your doctor.

Prevention of ear infection

  • Ear infection is not contagious, but respiratory infections can lead to ear infection.
  • Wash your hands and child’s hands
  • Clean nose during cold
  • Change diapers at proper time to avoid any additional infection
  • Clean pacifier: Unhygienic pacifier can result in throat infection through which bacteria enters ear fluid.
  • Encourage child to drink more liquid as swallowing helps to drain the middle ear fluid.
  • Keep baby’s vaccination current- Immunization helps to prevent several illness that can lead to ear infection.
  • Breastfeeding: If you are new mother, breastfeeding the baby at least for six months helps to boost their immune system.
  • Keep child away from tobacco smoke : Smoking only suppresses child’s immune system and increases breathing problem. It also makes it difficult for child to fight against infections
  • Ear tubes insertion: Otolaryngologist helps to insert small ear tubes to releases pressure that also acts a vent, letting air in and fluid out in the ear. This is a common surgical procedure in practice in many countries. Talk to your doctor if your child has frequent ear infection and needs an ear tube.

For more information on ear infections visit:

Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/macro-photography-of-babys-ear-374765/ https://www.pexels.com/@burst (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 8, 2018
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Cleaning stainless steel is easy with these tips

Cleaning stainless steel is easy with these tips

Cleaning stainless steel surfaces is easy with grandma’s below tips.

Refrigerator, washer, dryer, cooking surface, oven, microwave, sink and some of the  stainless steel utensils can be cleaned using below tips.

  1. Cotton fabric: Use soft cloth made of 100 percent cotton. After rinsing in water, use cotton to wipe the surface.
  2. Lime and salt: Sprinkle some salt and use half lime to scrub the salt into stainless steel. Wash and wipe off using clean rag.
  3. Baking soda and water: Scrub the food away using baking soda and warm water.
  4. KISS method: Keep it simple stupid, means use warm water and gentle dish soap and clean stainless steel. Rinse using water and wipe off water with clean fabric
  5. Vinegar and olive oil: To remove fingerprints from stainless steel refrigerator and microwave, spray vinegar and set it for couple of minutes. Wipe vinegar and buff with olive oil.
  6. Use flour: This method is little messy. To remove haziness from stainless steel use flour. After washing and cleaning with water and soup, coat surface with a layer of flour and allow it to dry. Use soft cloth and buff away any marks to get shining surface
  7. White vinegar: Spray vinegar liberally on fridge surface and wipe off liquid using clean, dry cloth in one direction.
  8. Orange peel: Once a week, polish the surface using orange peel. Essential oil present in the orange peel gives fresh, clean surface on stainless steel. Fresher the orange peel, better it works!
  9. Lemon oil: Use few drops of lemon oil – put few drops of on clean cloth and rub it on the surface to good shine
  10. Go with grain – Like wood, stainless steel equipment will also have grain surface. Always wipe along the grain.
  11. To remove water spots: Warm white vinegar and soak a towel in vinegar. Place this warm towel on water spots for few minutes and wipe using clean cloth.
  • Clean and wipe the stainless surface two to three times a week. It will help to keep away fingerprints, grease and dirt.
  • While cleaning do not use abrasive cleaners and sponges as they might scratch the surface.
  • Do not use any chlorine based cleaners as it will damage surface

Grandma’s tips: Healthylife.werindia.com

Image credit: Image by Anja🤗#helpinghands #solidarity#stays healthy🙏 from Pixabay(Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 7, 2018
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

Do not ignore Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the common vitamin deficiency that is affecting millions of vegetarians and elderly people. It is naturally present in non-vegetarian foods.

Dairy products also have some amount of vitamin B12. Many food products are fortified with B12 vitamins (bread, plant based milk etc).

However, both vegetarians and vegans does generally will have less amount of Vitamin B12. As we age, our body’s ability to absorb  B12 slows down.

Cobalamin is name of Vitamin B12.  People who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia also known to suffer from B12 deficiency!

Symptoms of Vit B12 deficiency:

  • Fatigue and cannot stay awake: Fatigues from cellular level causes a person sleepy all the time. Fatigue can be due to B12 deficiency
  • Weak muscles: Not enough RBC results in less oxygen supply to muscle causing weak muscle
  • Memory loss: Brain also needs oxygen and when there is less RBC less oxygen will carry to brain cells causing memory loss
  • Pale skin: Less RBC production can result in less iron content and a condition called megaloblastic anemia. When this happens RBC become large and fragile. This results in less circulation of RBC and skin appears pale. Fragility of RBC results in excess bilirubin resulting in jaundice and white eye color develops yellow tint.
  • Sensation of pin and needles: Nerve damage is another side effects of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Myelin that surrounds nervous system will function improperly resulting pins and needle sensation of hands and feet. This is called paresthesia.
  • Changes in mobility: Balance and coordination gets disturbed making a person fall due to Vitamin B12 deficiency. It happens more in elderly.
  • Mouth ulcers and glossitis: Oral symptoms such as mouth ulcers is another symptom. Glossitis is color and shape change of tongue. It turns red and swollen due to inflammation – this can happen because of B12 deficiency.
  • Breathlessness and dizziness: Lack of enough RBC and oxygen supply to cells results in unusual breathless especially when someone try to exert to do more and it might result in dizziness.
  • Mood changes: Mood and brain disorders like depression and demential are two other symptoms happens because of low level of Vitamin B12.
  • Disturbed vision: Optic nerve damage as a part of improper nervous system function results in poor vision.

How to overcome Vitamin B12 deficiency?

For optimal health B12 levels should be between 650-900 pg/mL. The Laboratory range in serum is 211-946 pg/mL.  Getting enough Vitamin B12 in the diet is critical when we start developing these above or any symptoms. Talk to your doctor.

If you don’t eat animal products, consider taking Vitamin B12 supplements and foods fortified with B12. Eating and drinking dairy products such as – raw milk, cheese, feta cheese, yogurt and kefir helps.

Improving digestive function with natural probiotics helps to absorb and process Vitamin B12 in the food faster and more efficient. 

Image credit: Photo by Manki Kim on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 6, 2018
« »
« »

Recommended for you

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day

February 4th is Cancer is World Cancer Day. To lower the risk of cancer all of us can do something, something good to our body by taking actions. Following seven tips given by CDC is presented here for you and your loved ones

Quit smoking:  Use of  tobacco in any form is linked to higher risk for cancer. Quit tobacco and lower risk of cancer.

 Be seen and get screened: Medical technology is advanced. Cancer screening technology for both men and women helps to get a quick overview. Talk to doctor about different screening and get a yearly checkup.

Vaccines for teens: Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines for both boys and girls aged Boys and girls aged 11 to 12 years should be considered. These viruses can cause cell changes in the body which might eventually become cancer. HPV vaccines protects against cancer for many years.

Reduce weight: Obesity and overweight in adults is linked to 13 different types of cancer. Healthy eating and physical activity helps to lower risk of deadly disease.

Family history: Talk to your elders and understand the medical history. For example, some women with strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer have changes in genes BRCA! & 2 which is passed down through generation. If the changes are passed to you, you might have higher risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer.

Love your liver: People who are born between 1940 and 1960 are more likely than others to carry the hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses. These viruses may not cause any noticeable symptoms, however they are a big risk for liver cancer. Get hepatitis B vaccine. Protect liver from binge drinking and other abusive substances

Be gutsy: Care your colon, colon cancer is affecting both genders. Colorectal cancer is the second only to lung cancer in causing death from cancer. Screening will help to catch growth of polyps that can turn to cancer.

Visit: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/worldcancerday/

Image credit: www.cdc.gov

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 5, 2018
« »
« »

Recommended for you

How to stay Motivated

How to stay Motivated

When we have too many things in mind and stressed out everything feels like falling through crack. Sustaining motivation is tough under such conditions.

Everybody faces these circumstances in different ways. Unless we step into their shoes we might not understand the severity of the situation.

However, some people overcome these tough situations and are motivated in life. They pick up pieces and get work done. It is not possible for everybody. Because motivation is not magic and does not pop up from a bottle.

How to stay motivated in life and find time to work on both personal and professional projects?

“Motivation does not last. Well neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily” – Zig Ziglar

In day to day life we will meet several people who are always motivated or try to overcome obstacles to achieve their goal. Looking at life of such people we can learn how to be motivated to do better in life.

Don’t be discouraged, change your strategy: Have a positive outlook at your life. If something does not work after trying many times there is no need to give up. As Thomas Edison said “I have not failed. I have found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. It means you might have to change your strategy to achieve what you want. There is not failure here, you are learning more and the experience of learning will help you in your future.

Get help: Discuss your goals and issues with your people. We often overestimate our capabilities. People who have experience will help you with right directions. If you are highly selective about whom you should ask for help, it might take time to finish what your started or reaching goal feels like long way. Instead, get referrals and contact those achievers who might help you. If your hesitation is “if they say no”. Don’t assume, you never know until you ask. Even if a person is negative, remember world is big and you will find someone who will help you.

Your attitude of expectancy: Think that something great is going to happen. When you surround yourself with positive energy you will end up in achieving something great. Expect something great happens, tell yourself “No matter what…I am sure things are going to work”. This will help you to look at difficulties and issues in a positive note and you will find a way to overcome tough situation.

Stop worrying about what you can’t: Always remember, somethings are within your control and some are not. Understand the difference between the two and why things are not working the way you want. When you learn the difference, you will stop working about circumstances that are beyond your control. This helps you not to emotionally entangled. You won’t be paralyzed with your progress. Sooner, you get over from the worry, the quicker you move toward your goal.

Surround yourself with positive people: As much as possible stay away from negative people and their conversation. Instead of getting motivated and job get done, you will be trapped in trash talks. It also builds up negative attitude and will take away your focus from your job. Instead of criticizing those who are positive and work hard, spend time with them to learn how to be motivated. It is proven that, positive people always spread positive energy to others.

Learn from mistakes: Everybody makes mistake as no one is perfect. Instead of blaming yourself, learn from the mistakes. When you work on the same project, remember the mistake you have committed previous time and avoid mistakes.   Moving away from the project and problem will not solve your issues. Write down possible solutions and outcomes – this will help you to face problem differently.

Have a plan: Planning helps because “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. Sketch and list your plans from beginning to end. This will give ideas, helps in developing strategy and ensures a great outcome. When you have sketched everything, and keep it in front of you, it motivates you to accomplish your goal/job. Write down your plan and to do list every week. Identify the problem that might occur and be prepared to face it with options. In case problem comes, your plan and options will help you.

Celebrate your accomplishments: Take time to celebrate your victory. Whether it is small or big, rewarding yourself each time keeps you motivated. Celebrate your success within few days – it can be treating yourself with ice cream, a movie night or buying a dress. Next time, you know that your achievement will take you for a treat and you will be motivated.

Remember, even in most passionate people obstacles can diminish motivation and confidence. That will not stop them to achieve their goals. They will become passionate by motivating themselves by various means. Instead of complaining about life, see what you can give to your life that is meaningful.

Image : Healthylife.werindia.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 1, 2018
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Benefits of eating Indian mouth fresheners and paan

Benefits of eating Indian mouth fresheners and paan

Mouth fresheners are available in different forms in market. Chewing gum is also a type of mouth freshener. When you are in India, you will see people chewing “pan or paan” after meal. Or you might also see roasted seeds in restaurants kept in a bowl.

While stepping out after heavy meal or snacks you will take a teaspoon of these roasted seeds and put in your mouth. Within an hour of eating these mouth fresheners you will start feeling better. They get rid of bad breath, heaviness in the system and helps in digestion.

Varieties of mouth fresheners are available in our kitchen itself: Cardamom pod, mint leaves, pomegranate seeds, anise seeds, guava seeds etc.

But, some mouth fresheners are more popular and prepared in different ways. These generally mixture of different ingredients and offer different benefits.

Here are few examples presented in next few slides…

Remember: Quantity of paan that should be consumed is one or two per day after meal. Too much paan consumption is not recommended. If not, we get addicted to paan which is not good for oral health. Similarly, eating mouth fresheners also should be limited to 1 or 2 tsp after meal. Similarly, too much of eating seeds can also result in constipation!

Dhana Dal – Split Cilantro: Click here to read more

Dhana Dal - Split Cilantro

Roasted Variyali – Fennel seeds: Click here to read more

Roasted Variyali Fennel seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Click here to read more

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

All seeds mouth freshener: Click here to read more

All seeds mouth freshener

Traditional Paan: Click here to read more

Traditional Paan

Paan Sandesh: Click here to read more

Paan Sandesh

Banarasi Sweet Paan: Click here to read more

Banarasi sweet paan

Calcutta Dry Fruit Paan: Click here to read more

Calcutta Dry Fruit Paan

 

.

Reference:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 31, 2018
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Calcutta Dry Fruit Paan

Calcutta Dry Fruit Paan

Generally regular meetha paan stains the mouth and teeth. For those who does not want to stain the mouth much, there is an option.

Gilori calcutta paan is as delicious as regular paan and it has several health benefits.

What it contains? You need beetle leaf, dry dates, gulkand, anise seed, little sugar, Indian gooseberry, wood apple pulp, menthol a little, cardamom and little dry coconut flakes.

How to prepare: Wash betel leaf and cut into half. Take half leaf and add all ingredients one by one. At the end add coconut flakes, close the leaf and serve by inserting a clove or cherry on top.

Health benefits: This paan apart from helping in digestion, reduces heaviness of system. It also supplies dry fruits – dates, Indian gooseberry and wood apple pulp. All these dry fruits stimulates digestive system and enhances metabolism. Along with it also supplies iron and helps in blood circulation.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Banarasi sweet paan

Banarasi Sweet Paan

This is world famous mouth freshener and promotes digestion.

It helps in increasing appetite and promotes secretion of saliva.

What it contains?

  • Fennel seeds – 4 tsp ,
  • Betel nuts – 2 tsp,
  • Colored sugar- 2 tsp,
  • Cardamom powder – ¼ tsp
  • Clove powder – ¼ tsp,
  • Nutmeg powder – ¼,
  • Cinnamon powder – ¼ tsp,
  • Dry coconut powder or flakes – 1 tsp,
  • Menthol – little powder,
  • Camphor – little powder,
  • Gulkand – 2 tsp,
  • Dried fruit & nut mix – 1 tsp

How to prepare at home?

  • Wash betel leaves and dry using a paper towel
  • Mix all above-mentioned ingredients
  • Apply a little of slaked lime on two betel leaves and place on a flat surface. Place one tsp of mixture on the leaves.
  • Fold leaves into triangle shape and insert a toothpick or clove to hold the shape.
  • Serve after meal

Benefits: If you see the ingredients you will understand why people like to have Banaras leaves after meal. All ingredients presented in Banaras paan helps in digestion and promotes metabolism.

Clove and cardamom refreshes mouth. Betel nut and nutmeg helps in liver health.

Cinnamon reduces cholesterol and keeps heart healthy. Fennel seeds good for intestine and removes toxins from the body. Dried fruit and nut mix supply protein and minerals. Betel leaf of course, supplies vitamins, thiamine and iron and it works on salivary gland!

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you