All posts by Sumana Rao

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Natural Ways To Fight Fatigue

Natural Ways To Fight Fatigue

Our habits, routines and lifestyle can cause fatigue and tiredness. Sometimes temporarily, one can feel fatigue. If so, there are few natural ways to overcome temporary sluggishness and tiredness in day-to-day life.

1. Expose yourself to Sun: Sun rays boosts energy in the body in the form of serotonin which is a natural happy hormone. Sunlight tells brain and body when to get active. For some people the winter months can be the hardest time to fight fatigue due to short days and lack of sunshine. During winter if Sun comes out, sit on a chair near window and let sun rays fall on you.

2. Drink potato water!: You need one unpeeled potato and 8 ounces of water for this remedy. Slice up the and add to a glass of water. Allow it to steep overnight in the fridge, and drink first thing in the morning.

3. Try ginseng, honey and lemon water: To 1 cup water add a Tbs of ginseng root and bring it to boil. Add honey and lemon drops for taste and drink in the morning.

4. Lemon juice with saffron: Squeeze 1/2 lemon juice and add it to 2 cups of water. Add little cardamom powder and few saffron. Add sugar and a pinch of salt. Mix well and drink

5. Eat yogurt: Eat a cup of yogurt in the afternoon.

6. Pineapple and honey: Dip pineapple pieces in honey and have once a day.

7. Licorice root: To one tsp of dried licorice root add few drops of honey and mix in a cup of water and drink.

8. Magnesium: Always keep magnesium rich food in the kitchen. High magnesium foods like nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, avocados, yogurt, bananas, dried fruit, dark chocolate are helpful when you feel fatigue due to hunger.

9. Say no to fatty food: Your fatigue may be due to fatty food intake. For 4 to 5 days avoid fatty food and see how you feel.

10. Say no to alcohol: Alcohol affects central nervous system and causes lathery and fatigue. Avoid alcohol or reduce its consumption.

11. Good sleep: Aim for restful sleep. Get good sleep. Sleeping very late and getting up too early or disturbance in sleep can be reason for fatigue. If so, change your habit.

12. Dieting: If you are into weight loss and diet is not going well, then it can be a reason for your fatigue. Eat well three times a day and cut down on snacks. Include more fruits, vegetables and fresh fruit juice to bring back your energy.

13. Healthy snack: Combine complex carbohydrates and protein and eat a healthy snack like apple-peanut butter or cracker with cheese. Body will digest this type of snack slowly and blood sugar level will be normal.

14. Breakfast: Never skip your breakfast. Breakfast is what keeps you energetic during the day.

15. Drinking water: Drink water and hydrate. Dehydration is another reason for fatigue.

16. Music: Have your play list ready and listen to your favorite songs. Certain music can also boost your focus during everyday tasks.

17. Yoga and meditation: Get onto yoga mat and do your favorite pose. Try to challenge yourself a bit and focus. Meditation with breathing helps to bring back energy.

18. Feel good about yourself: Do not get frustrated. Certain condition that you might have may be the reason for fatigue. Find out what makes your mind and body both energetic. This way you will start feeling good about what you know about yourself and what makes you energetic.

19. Walk and exercise: A simple walk for few minutes will also helps you to come out from fatigue. Group exercise motivates you to get into mood and energizes definitely. Engage in daily low-level exercise, such as gentle stretching and walking – this relieves any stress and body pain associated with fatigue.

If the fatigue is due to some hidden condition and is not going away then it is better to consult your doctor.

Reference: www.werindia.com

Image credit: Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 12, 2017
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kids Flu tips

Tips for parents to fight flu

The flu, also called influenza, is a viral respiratory illness. It is contagious and generally children who attend school will get flu from peers.  And, people who go to work or in public contact will also get flu from various sources and will transfer to family members.

For parents – how to take care of kids at home?

1. Make sure your child gets this season’s flu vaccine: As per CDC even though the vaccine cannot completely prevent children from getting the flu (it’s about 62% effective ) it can shorten the illness and makes it milder flu season.

2. Social Distancing: Do you know that flu germs can spread up to 6 feet through sneeze and cough. Tell your child to cover mouth and nose. Use tissue to clean running nose. Make sure to collect and throw the tissues. Wash your hands afterwards.

3. Discourage your children visiting their friends, schools and neighbors when they have flu.

4. Quarantine children without symptoms to keep away from the flu virus by not allowing them to go near his/her sick siblings.

5. Hygiene: Make hygiene a priority. Keep rooms clean, shared objects clean, surfaces clean. If Sun is out open window and door at least few minutes to get fresh air from outside. To clean hands place hand sanitizer bottles in each room.

6. Hand washing: Tell your kids to wash hands thoroughly. Let them follow hand-washing instructions. Stay healthy.

7. Food: Ask and help kids to follow good nutrition, moderate exercise and adequate rest to boost their immune system. Offer them well balanced diet including hot soup, cooked vegetables, warm milk, water and plenty of rest – recommended :at least 10 hours of sleep for school going children and 12 hours for toddler. Include plenty of fluids in their diet.

8. If you are looking for home remedies make sure it suits your child. Give them plenty of warm fluid. You can use medicated chest rubs for cough and congestion, a humidifier and vaporizer for easy breathing, and saline nose drops to get rid of congestion.

What your kids should know? Tell your children to:

  1. Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, being with ill people and especially before you eat
  2. Avoid sharing objects
  3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes
  4. Get enough sleep and avoid getting “run down”
  5. Reduce stress – things can wait.
  6. Use tissues for coughs and sneezes and dispose of them immediately and appropriately
  7. Eat right and get regular exercise
  8. Avoid crowds and keep your distance from people whom you know are ill
  9. If you are sick, avoid contact with the frail, very young and elderly
  10.  If you are sick, stay home from work or school

Be in a watch for worsening fever or cough, as this may be a sign of a complication such as pneumonia. Talk to your pediatrician and family doctor before giving any medicines to child.

Reference:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 11, 2017
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Mesentery

Mesentery: New organ discovered inside human body

A new discovery has been made by scientists in the beginning of new year 2017! A new organ  namely MESENTERY has been discovered by scientists in human digestive system after centuries!!

Scientists have confirmed that humans actually have an extra organ that has been hiding in plain sight this whole time.

The research has been published in The Lancet medical journal.

J Calvin Coffey, University of Limerick said: “In the paper, which has been peer reviewed and assessed, we are now saying we have an organ in the body which hasn’t been acknowledged as such to date.”

The new organ is named mesentery, the organ was previously thought to consist of fragmented and disparate structures. Researchers found, however, that it is one continuous organ and outlined evidence to classify it as such in a review published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

Where exactly it is located?

The mesentery – Newly discovered organ is a double fold of peritoneum – the lining of the abdominal cavity – that holds our intestine to the wall of our abdomen. In other words The mesentery connects the intestine to the abdomen.

Previously to its discovery mesentery was thought to be just a few fragmented structures in the digestive system. The mesentery, it turns out, is one connected organ, not a disjointed group of separate parts, a theory believed since the 19th century.

Which function attributed to mesentery?

Although its function is still unclear, the discovery opens up “a whole new area of science,” according to J Calvin Coffey, a researcher at the University Hospital Limerick who first discovered it. “When we approach it like every other organ… we can categorize abdominal disease in terms of this organ,” he said.

“Now we have established anatomy and the structure. The next step is the function. If you understand the function you can identify abnormal function, and then you have disease.

“Put them all together and you have the field of mesenteric science.”

While the mesentery’s specific function is still unknown, studying it as an organ could lead to new discoveries about its impact on abdominal diseases.

The heart, brain, liver, lungs and kidneys are the vital organs, but there are another 74 that play a role in keeping us healthy- including the mesentery! Medical students and researchers can now investigate what role the mesentery might play in abdominal diseases, which it is hoped could ultimately lead to new treatments.

Sources:

  • http://www.independent.co.uk/
  • http://www.usatoday.com/
  • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Image credit:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mesentery_extending_from_the_duodenojejunal_flexure_to_the_ileocecal_junction..jpg

Attribution: https://www.scientificanimations.com/ / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 6, 2017
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Questioning kids

Questioning your kid

It is important to put good thoughts and making kids think about community and the world they live in. When you get time sit with your kid and ask thought provoking and valuable questions that will shape up their lives. Depending on the age group that your kids falls into, you can ask some of the following questions that are relevant to them. See whether you will get satisfying answers. If you don’t then explain them what is wrong in their answer. Ask same questions after few months and get an answer. This  will help child to get along with peers, family and in society.

  1. If could change one rule that your family has, what would you change?
  2. What is something that makes your family special?
  3. Of all the things you are learning, what do you think will be the most useful when you are an adult?
  4. Are you a good sibling? Why do you think so?
  5. Are you a good friend? Why do you think so?
  6. How do you respond when you see someone is bullying a special need child?
  7. How would the world be different if animals could talk?
  8. Would you cheat on a test if you knew you would not be caught? Why or why not?
  9. If you could grow up to be famous, what would you want to be famous for?
  10. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?
  11. What is the best gift you have ever given? Why was it so special?
  12. What is the hardest thing about being a kid?
  13. Where is your favorite place in the world?
  14. If you could give one gift to every single child in the world, what gift would you give?
  15. If you could travel back in time three years and visit your younger self, what advice would you give yourself?
  16. What five words do you think most describe you?
  17. If you could invent something that would make life easier for people, what would you invent?
  18. When was a time that you felt lucky?
  19. What do you think would be the hardest thing about being blind or not able to speak?
  20. If you could make one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, what rule would you make? Why?
  21. Will you help your parents in house work? Why or why not?
  22. Why do you think everyday exercise is important?
  23. Do you think it is important to have a cell phone/smart phone and for what reasons?
  24. Do you know there are unfortunate kids in the world? How can you help them?
  25. Do you talk to strangers and give them any information about family?
  26. Do you like to spend time with your grandparents during vacation?

Ask these questions and get answers. Tell them to think before they answer. If they don’t understand help them to understand the meaning of the questions. After few months repeat the questions and see whether the answers are different from earlier session. You may find difference in your child’s thinking process too.

Reference: www.werindia.com

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/1817166 Author: Olga1205 (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 4, 2017
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Child pose

Stress buster child pose

If there is a yoga pose that one can perform, anywhere anytime and want to relax then that would be stress buster Balasana or child pose. If you are stressed out and want to calm your mind, to come out from anxiety and anger child pose or baby pose helps.  Balasana is the Sanskrti word for child pose. Bala= child, asana= pose. This pose resembles a child who is sleeping on its belly by placing hands in front (in different forms).

Child pose is a resting pose that can be used at any time, and is especially enjoyable after a challenging pose. It means when we go through stress and anxiety, performing child pose not only calms the body, mind and spirit, but also stimulates the third eye point.

How you do child pose:

  • Sit back on heels and open knees about hip width on a mat. Bend forward by lowering upper body between thighs and bring forehead toward floor. Stretch both arms in front of the body by facing palms down.
  • Or simply kneel on the floor. Touch your big toes together and sit on your heels, then separate your knees about as wide as your hips.
  • If you find it hard to touch the forehead to floor use a folded towel, a block or a blanket – and place head on the any one of these items of your choice.
  • If you find it difficult on calves and hamstrings, place a folded towel between calves and hamstrings.
  • Don’t forget to breath in and out few times.

Variation:

To increase length of the torso, lift your buttocks just slightly away from the heels and stretch both arms in the front. While stretching the arms long draw the shoulder blades down and back.  Sit the buttocks down on the heels again.

Benefits:

  • Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and fatigue: Touching forehead on the floor and closing eyes helps in focusing mind and brings balance and calms the mind. Stretching of body create awareness on oneself and reduces the pain related to stress.
  • Relieves back and neck pain when done with head and torso supported
  • Stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles
  • Stimulate digestive systems and massages internal organs : Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system
  • It gently releases the lower back
  • For women – helpful in releasing menstrual cramps and stress related to menstrual cycle.
  • Releases shoulder tension

Reference: www.werindia.com

 

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 1, 2017
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Grandparents

Advice To Grandparents!

Are you becoming a grandparent for the first time? Listen to  grandma’s advice and be happy.

First expect to hold a little bundle of joy in your hands. In addition, shower love…don’t hold back! However, when you have to advice the new parents, be careful. They are also new parents. They may not listen to you. If you have to advice them then, be gentle, choose your words carefully and do not hesitate to admire them.

  1.  Give the parents all the love and support you can. Don’t compare new parents or their child to anything or anybody – good or bad.
  2. Play with child – don’t be possessive because child is your son’s or daughter’s. Allow other family members to play too.
  3. Get extra time with new baby and volunteer to help -change diaper, feeding and willing to look after baby if the new parents wants some time off.
  4. Respect the wishes of parents, don’t criticize them
  5. If parents neglect your advice, don’t worry… they will learn.
  6. Do not impose your opinion. Give them advice if they ask.
  7. Do not stop loving the grand children. Be around and bring them home or visit them often.
  8. Don’t worry about the gifts that you cannot afford. Instead, look for garage sales – resale’s – toys, books, furniture, bicycles, stroller and safety equipment for child.
  9. Do not compare yourself to other grandparents or grand mothers.
  10. Do not talk to child about their parents habits and do not criticize parents in front of child.
  11. Control your anger and expressing displeasure.
  12. Don’t take togetherness for granted; circumstances can change in an instant.
  13. Take the time to make the time with your grandchildren memorable.
  14. Be yourself and give of yourself.
  15. Enrich your grandchild’s life with more you, less stuff. Read stories, take them to park and play with them.
  16. Love, enjoy, and appreciate every single moment.
  17. Stay calm, happy, loving with your grandchild.
  18. Note down important stages of your grandchild and give them memories.
  19. Prepare foods and feed the child – understand what food can cause allergy to the child.
  20. Note down important contact numbers that may come in handy when you are left with grandchild alone.
  21. Teach children traditional games, to love nature and pets.
  22. Do not compare yourself to child’s parents.
  23. Go with new mom if she wants you to accompany her to hold baby and be helpful if you can.
  24. If you are a camera person then, take plenty of pictures.
  25. If you know knitting or crochet , get ready with sweater, cap and sock! Ask parents which color they prefer for their baby.

Enjoy your grandparent days – it is a gift! 

Image credit: “Laila and the Grandparents Virji” by Salim Virji is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 29, 2016
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Remedies For Hiccups

Get Relief From Sudden Hiccups

Hiccups happen sometimes for no apparent reasons. Babies, children and adults all will get hiccups for no reasons. If you look for how hiccup happens scientifically then google the answer -“A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle. When the muscle spasms, the vocal cords snap shuts producing the hiccup sound.”

Let us see what general reasons for hiccups are:

1) Fatty foods

2) Day to day stress

3) Smoking

4) Certain flours

5) Raw vegetables like cucumber and cauliflower, carbonated drink, bubble gum

6) Eating too fast with tension

7) Half empty stomach

8) Indigestion of milk and milk products

The most common reasons for sudden hiccup include over eating, gas in digestive system, eating too fast, hunger, certain conditions related to muscle and nerves.

For regular hiccups, try some of these home remedies:

  • Meal time: Before meal time try few bending exercises. Drink a cup of warm water after meal and after meal go for a short walk
  • Bite a piece of lemon
  • Hold your tongue between fingers for few seconds
  • Hold and leave your nose for couple of seconds – repeat few times
  • Distraction – paying attention to something else helps
  • Hold and release your breath few times
  • Gargle with plain water and drink water by bending and holding cup down !
  • Smell bath soap and bath salt
  • Place one-half teaspoon of dry sugar on the back of your tongue.
  • Black pepper: Smell black pepper powder. It can cause sneezing. Sneezing distracts and shakes the system and stops hiccups
  • Cardamom powder: Boil water and add little cardamom powder. Strain and drink the cardamom water
  • Mustard seeds: Slowly swallow few (10-12) mustard seeds with clarified butter. It stimulates the nerves in throat region and stops hiccups
  • Avoid spicy food and consume moderate amount of fibers in your daily meals.
  • Eat more fresh juicy fruits – oranges, mango, cherries and berries
  • Little amount of clarified butter (ghee) mixed with rice and salt also helps.
  • Eat a piece of jaggery and drink a cup of water!
  • Chew a tender pan leaf with little sugar

As in adults, hiccups in newborns, infants, and babies are common and generally nothing to worry about. While feeding a baby if baby gets hiccups while feeding then stop feeding until the hiccups stops.  While feeding a baby if baby gets hiccups while feeding then stop feeding until the hiccups stops. Pat babies back slowly and try releasing the gas.

Remember – These remedies for sudden and general hiccups. If you feel that hiccups are not going away and due to some conditions then, don’t ignore consulting your family doctor.

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/1144796/hiccup-hiccups-sob-burp-rattle-finger-mouth-man-bart (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Fssai newspaper

FSSAI Warns Against The Food Packed In Newspapers

Eating road side food – bhel, puri, churmuri, fries, bajji, samosa, bonda? Then, make sure you do not eat it from a newspaper. FSSAI has given a warning about these types of food as this can cause severe health issues.

Not only the food from road side, if you have a habit of draining oil on a news paper or getting foods packed in news paper then seriously try changing your habits.

The national food regulator of India had informed public not to consume such foods because of the ink that contains chemicals that should not meet food items.

Newspapers are printed all over with ink that is dissolved on it with the help of chemical solvents. Studies have shown that printing ink from newspapers can easily get leached into foods wrapped or served in them and pose a health risk. The solvent used to dissolve ink on the paper can be potentially carcinogenic.

If you are buying food packed in cardboard look for recycled paper mark. If it is, then do not buy such foods as they are unsafe to consume. Newspapers and cardboard boxes used for packaged foods are made of recycled paper that may be contaminated with harmful chemicals like di-isobutyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate which can cause digestive problems and also lead to severe toxicity.

A cereal company during 2010, had to recall an entire batch of boxes coated with paper lining. The material had an increased level of methylnaphthalene which leached into the cereal and consumers reported digestive problems after eating the contaminated cereal.

Women at risk: Recycled paper also has printing ink residues trapped from previous prints. These trapped residues have found to contain hormone disruptors like benzophenones and mineral oils. They can interfere with reproductive cycle, especially in women.

FSSAI drive against packing food in newspapers in Mysuru the cleanest city of India: According to FSSAI officers at Mysuru, Karnataka, FSSAI is planning a drive against food packing in newspaper.  This is to create awareness across the district. Mysuru is a beautiful place where public have access for more street foods.  FSSAI will make effort to reach over 1,500 roadside eateries and every vendor — either through their association or through other means —to educate them about the hazards of continuing the practice of wrapping food in newspapers.

License requirement: According to Mr. Suresh, FSSAI official at Mysuru,  It is important to for the roadside eateries to avail license under FSSAI. During the awareness, Mysuru officials are also bringing up the issue of vendors not renewing their license to practice.  Besides availing a trade license from the Myrusu City Corporation, it is mandatory for vendors to get a licence from FSSAI as well. This besides roadside eateries, restaurants and star hotels are supposed to have an FSSAI licence. A penalty ranging from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 3 lakh can be imposed on those flouting the norms. The FSSAI license fee starts from Rs. 100.

References:

  • http://www.fssai.gov.in/home/media.html
  • www.thehindu.com
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 27, 2016
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