All posts by Sumana Rao

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Sweet corn, spinach soup

Healthy sweetcorn and spinach shorba recipe

Sometimes we feel like having semisolid hot food. Answer for this is soup. Soup not only helps to sooth system, it also sufficiently fills the stomach. Moong dal which highly nutritious when cooked with sweet corn and spinach gives a delicious soup that is easy to digest.

Shorba is Indian soup that is popularly served in Indian cuisine. Sweet corn, spinach and moong dal shorba is a popular soup that is served in Indian resturants all over the world.  One can have shorba with rotis or bread. This soup is also good for sick people as it helps to gain the strength.

Moong dal, sweet corn and spinach shorba recipe

Ingredients:

  1. Split moong dal – 1 cup
  2. Sweet corn -1.5 cups
  3. Spinach – ½ cup
  4. Garlic – 3 or 4 cloves
  5. Green chili- 2
  6. Green cardamom – 3
  7. Asafoetida – pinch
  8. Cumin- 1 tsp
  9. Mustard – ½ tsp
  10. Black pepper – ¼ tsp
  11. Turmeric -1/4 tsp
  12. Bay leaf- 1
  13. Cilantro – ¼ cup
  14. Oil for seasoning- 1 Tbsp
  15. Salt – as per taste

Preparation:

  1. Cook moong dal in pressure cooker and  mash cooked moong dal using a masher
  2. In a deep vessel heat oil on medium heat. Add cumin, mustard, green cardaomom, asafoetida, bay leaf, garlic clove and green chilis- fry for a minute or two.
  3. You can use tinned sweet corn or cook sweet corn at home – mash sweet corn and add it to seasoning. Continue frying sweet corn for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add cut spinach and black pepper to sweet corn. Continue cooking for couple of more minutes.
  5. Add 2 cups water and bring it to boil. Add smashed moong dal and salt. Continue boiling for 2-3 minutes. Add chopped cilantro before serving.
  6. Serve hot shorba in bowls with Indian rotis or naan or with bread.

Image credit: https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/20125529571267453/

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/226657793731189074/


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 23, 2024
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Treatments For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatments For Rheumatoid Arthritis

After a clear diagnosis, doctors might recommend a combination of treatments, which could  change over time based on the severity of symptoms.

Goal of all the treatment in RA is to -reduce pain, decrease inflammation, prevent, stop, or slow down joint and organ damage, to improve ability to move freely.

Early diagnosis always helps to curtail the symptoms.

Medications: Patients with RA will take medications to decrease and prevent joint damage. These medicines may include:

Antti-inflammatory medications

Corticosteroid to decrease inflammation, to give relief from pain and to for slowing down joint damage. These drugs are prescribed in low doses.

To change the progression of the condition, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs can be prescribed.

To interrupt immune system that is attacking joint, certain medication may be used. Janus kinas or JAK inhibitors sends message to specific cells to stop inflammation from inside the tissue.

While we cannot totally cure RA, we can take care of pain, inflammation. It is important to note that, people with RA must move, reduce weight, focus on diet, and watch how the symptoms are. A healthy lifestyle will not only help to manage the pain, also will help to develop confidence in RA patients.


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 22, 2024
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Impact of Smoking and Stress on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Impact of Smoking and Stress on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Quit Smoking today:

Smoking can make symptoms of RA worse and remission less likely. It also makes it tough to stay active – a key part of arthritis treatment. Smoking makes it hard on heart, lungs as well as on kidneys as these organs are affected by RA. If you need help in quitting smoking, there are many helps line available. Your friends and families can assist you and seek their help in this regard.

Managing Stress

Focusing on mental health is very critical of managing RA. Stress triggers the RA. The emotions you may feel because of RA – fear, anger, and frustration, along with any pain, physical limitations, and the unpredictable nature of flares – can increase your stress level. To cope with stress one can try following suggestion:

  • Regular rest periods.
  • Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.
  • Practice yoga and tai chi
  • Take a walk in your garden or in nature
  • Spending time with pets
  • Gardening, taking care of plants,
  • Listening to music

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Weight Reduction and Exercise Key for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Weight Reduction and Exercise Key for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Reduce extra weight:

Losing weight makes it easy for RA condition. Start with small goal and make progress on maintaining proper BMI. Fat cells release proteins that cause inflammation in joints and other parts. Burn calories as much as you can by performing tasks and exercise.  Avoid fried items and sweet that add weight to body. Consider less calorie foods and eat healthy.

Keep Moving

Exercise and being on move most time of the day helps to manage RA.  Exercise will not cause problem to joint nor increases pain. Walking is the best exercise. Contact certified instructor or a physio therapist for what type of exercise you can do for RA condition. Exercise helps in –

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Strengthens your bones
  • Is good for both heart and lungs
  • Relieves pain
  • Improves mood and sleep
  • Helps in weight loss
  • Keeps joints mobile

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Focus on Nutrition and Joint Care For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Focus on Nutrition and Joint Care For Rheumatoid Arthritis

A well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is important for healthy bones.  Vitamin D is important for calcium and bone health. Expose body to Sun light. Apply oil on body and sit in Sun light for an hour or so.  vitamin D supplements to achieve the recommended intake of 600 to 800 IU each day.

Consume food with good source of calcium dairy products, dark green and leafy veggies, food fortified with calcium and calcium supplements.

The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily calcium intake of 1,000 mg (milligrams) for men and women up to age 50. Women over age 50 and men over age 70 should increase their intake to 1,200 mg daily.

For joint care: Wearing splint for short time  for joints- hands, wrists, ankles, and feet- reduces pain and swelling.  Calves pain can be reduced by wearing compressors for few hours a day. Talk to your doctor or a physical or occupational therapist before wearing a splint. To protect joints, follow these tips:

  • Using self-help devices like item with large grip, zipper pullers, or wear shoe with long-handled shoehorns.
  • Using tools or devices that help with activities of daily living, such as an adaptive toothbrush or silverware.
  • Using devices to help you get on and off chairs, toilet seats, and beds. Fix handles near toilet, bed and where you commonly sit for support.
  • Choosing activities that put less stress on your joints, such as limiting the use of the stairs or taking rest periods when walking longer distances. Avoid two-wheel drive when under pain.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight will help to reduce the stress on joints

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Learn How To Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis

Learn How To Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis

Take Care of Your Teeth 

Gum disease may cause your RA to progress faster than if you didn’t have gum disease. It can lead to greater bone and cartilage damage. Be sure to schedule regular dental exams, eat healthfully, and brush and floss every day.  How to brush teeth with painful hands? Talk to your dentist and therapist to make every day dental care easy.

Get Good Sleep 

Getting good sleep is much essential for RA condition as poor sleep and RA often go together. Pain makes it hard  sleep, and lack of sleep makes you more sensitive to pain. Tossing and turning can also set you up for depression and fatigue. Uncontrolled symptoms with anxiety make it hard for patients to sleep. To get good sleep-

  • Make sure you are taking your medicines as directed.
  • Avoid caffeine
  • Limit screen time before bed
  • Exercise during the day, be on move as much as possible
  • Drink relaxing and soothing herbal teas that suits your condition.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

  1. Joint pain at rest and when moving, along with tenderness, swelling, and warmth of the joint.
  2. Joint stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes, typically after waking in the morning or after resting for a long period of time.
  3. Fatigue- tired and low energy.
  4. Occasional low-grade fever.
  5. Loss of appetite

Who Gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?

  • Age: the risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis increases with age. Children and younger teenagers may be diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a condition related to rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Sex: It is more among women than men. About two to three times as many women as men have the disease. Researchers think that the female hormone estrogen may play a role in the development of the disease for some women.
  • Heredity:  If a family member has RA, you may be more likely to develop the disease.
  • Smoking: Research shows that people who smoke over a long period of time are at an increased risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Obesity: Some research shows that being obese may increase your risk for the disease as well as limit how much the disease can be improved.
  • Periodontitis: Risk of having RA increases with gum disease.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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What Happens In Rheumatoid Arthritis?

What Happens In Rheumatoid Arthritis?

There is no proper explanation why our immune system attacks our own joint tissue. Studies have however shown when RA can develop. A combination of genes and exposure to environmental factors starts the development of RA.

  • Before symptoms occur, the immune system might have been triggered or activated years before.
  • The autoimmune process may happen in other areas of the body, but the impact of the immune malfunction settles in the joints.
  • Immune cells cause inflammation in the inner lining of the joint, called the synovium.
  • This inflammation becomes chronic, and the synovium thickens due to an increase of cells, production of proteins, and other factors in the joint, which can lead to pain, redness, and warmth.
  • As RA progresses, the thickened and inflamed synovium pushes further into the joint and destroys the cartilage and bone within the joint.
  • The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support and stabilize the joint become weak over time and do not work as well. This can lead to more pain and joint damage and limits mobility.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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