New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Thirty-one per cent of citizens plan to visit a restaurant, while 29 per cent plan to visit malls in the next 60 days, according to a survey conducted by LocalCircles.In addition, 75 per cent of Indian households expect visitors like domestic help, service providers etc. to their homes in the next 30 days. As many as 43 per cent are expecting visits from friends and relatives who do not stay with them, while 27 per cent are expecting friends, neighbours and colleagues to visit them in the next 30 days. According to LocalCircles, given the known air-borne transmission of the SARS-COV2 strains, all the above activities without adhering to the guidelines, both by the business owners and the citizens, are likely to accelerate the spread of Covid and a possible third wave may be coming sooner than anticipated. "The government's Covid task force has stated that it is premature to presume that the country is out of danger as the possibility of a third wave is high. The doctors have warned that we cannot be fully out of danger till most of the population is vaccinated, which is a long way away given that only 250 million doses have been administered in a nation with a population of 1.4 billion," the survey said. The findings indicate that the majority of Indian households are likely to have service providers, domestic help and extended family visit them in the next 30 days. India experienced difficult consequences for its negligence in April and May with almost 60 per cent individuals having someone in their social network getting impacted by the second wave of the pandemic, the survey said. --IANSsan/arm
Despite three months of scorching heat, summer is full of reasons to invest in well-being, from seasonal fruits and vegetables, long days and international and national food days to keep reminding you of your promise of good health to your mind and body.
let's remember the goodness of these crunchy ol' nuts:
Packs A Nutritional Punch
Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and offer other heart-healthy fats, protein, fibre, and vitamins (including vitamin B6), among others. Munching on these on a daily basis may reduce the risk of heart disease, improve brain health, ensure a healthy gut, and help in weight management. Infact, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)'s Eat Right During Covid-19 guidelines mention foods with omega-3, zinc, selenium, protein and vitamin B to help maintain a healthy immune system and play a role in our body's healing and recovery. And each of these nutrients is present in walnuts. Now, while no single food can prevent or treat illness, it is important to eat a balanced diet.
Also, Read► Eating walnut linked to healthy life in women
Easy To Incorporate In Meals
Munching on a handful of walnuts isn't the only way to reap the health benefits of this nutritious food. They are incredibly delicious and crunchy, and boast great potential on the cooking front because of their ability to absorb flavours and work equally well in both sweet and savoury dishes. To add some much-needed excitement to your daily meals, you can pair these with a variety of food groups, including fruits and veggies, dairy, and breads and cereals, to name a few. Toss it into your salad, cake, or ice cream, blend it with fruits and veggies for your morning smoothie or grind it into a paste to use in dips or gravy, or simply make a trail mix -- there are so many creative ways to work them into your diet.
Easy To Store
Contrary to popular belief, walnuts can easily remain fresh at home provided you store them away from moisture, light, and warmth. Shelled or unshelled, put the walnuts into a resealable bag or an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator or freezer based on the period of use. If you're going to use them within a month, keep them in the refrigerator or move them to the freezer.
Making everyday healthy is not an easy task, but with walnuts in your daily meals, you may get a few steps closer.
Read More► Why opt for walnuts
The concept of the 'Panchamahabhootas' is the basic building block to understanding Ayurveda, one of the oldest forms of holistic treatments. Ayurveda believes that everything in this 'brahmand' or universe, is made up of 5 basic elements, namely: Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), and Aakash (ether or space). These five elements, present in varying proportions, constitute the human body.
Ayurveda recognises the mind, the body, and its spirit as interdependent constituents that make up the human body. It divides all people into possessing one among these three broad categories of Dosha-' Vata (ether/air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water/earth). Following the theories of Ayurveda, we all have one dominant dosha-- a type of bodily humour. An individual's unique ratio of Kapha, Vata, and Pitta is said to define their Ayurvedic constitution-- their personal roadmap to achieve optimal health, and when out of balance, the cause of several diseases.
Also, Read► Diet Drinks, Soda Might Be Harming Your Fertility
This theory of the 'Tridosha' is the substance of all diagnostic treatments in Ayurveda. Vata binds Akasha and Vayu and ensures unhindered body movement. Breathing and excretion, food absorption and cell growth and regeneration; muscle movement, and balance-- all of this is governed by the Vata Dosha. Pitta binds Agni and Jal and is the principal regulator of body alkalinity. It is primarily responsible for generating vision, colour, and warmth in the body. Kapha on the other hand is the energy that binds Prithvi and Jal. It is the force that maintains homeostasis, constitutes the structural framework in our body even while forming several protective coverings of different organs.
Ayurveda enlists a total of 8 Prakritis based on the knowledge that there is no 'one size fits all' approach in health. Each individual has his/her own dominant dosha or a combination of two or three of these elemental forces. In Ayurveda, this divergence from Prakruti, Vikruti, is the cause of all diseases. Keeping a check on your specific tridosha can help prevent and also treat these diseases. You can treat these individual doshas as follows:
* Vata represents movement and all challenges such as constipation, insomnia, lower back pain, cough, etc. should include warm milk, butter, cereals, fruits, and warm drinks like hot water in their diet. Spices like cumin, ginger, and cloves, and a healthy Vata-balanced diet are essential to keep all diseases at bay. A warm glass of milk garnished with turmeric and cardamom, and sleep before 11 p.m. is advisable.
Also, Read► Plant-based diet may improve cardiac function, cognitive health
* Pitta Dosha is the energy of digestion and metabolism in the body. A Pitta-dominant individual can experience health issues related to heat and acidity in the body. Short temperedness, acid reflux, restlessness, and rashes are common ailments in such people. Those with the Pitta Dosha should meditate and take food in moderate amounts. Consumption of refreshing food like salads, cold milk, and fruits during summer is a must. They must consume grains, vegetables, and cereals in abundance and avoid oily, spicy, and fermented food. Engaging in a couple of quiet hours meditating and contemplating is a good practice.
* Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. When out of balance, a Kapha-dominant individual can experience problems that are a consequence of the accumulation of fat. Obesity, respiratory congestion, poor diet, a feeling of heaviness, swelling, and depression can become crucial ailments in individuals with the Kapha Dosha. Such individuals are advised to engage in vigorous physical activity, take up warm beverages, and include spices such as cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, and sesame seeds in their diet.
Ayurveda and Yoga in unison can help one achieve a healthy lifestyle-- free of most common diseases. Trying to understand your unique Dosha, and accepting Ayurveda as a way of life can change your life. Well, after all, isn't a healthy mind and body our ultimate goal after all?
Read More► Healthy plant-based diet linked to lower stroke risk
New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) India's covid-19 crisis is devastating its most desperate people, The Economist said in a report.The poor are losing jobs, going hungry and falling victim to scams, it added. "Pye dogs and circling scavengers gave the first clue. When villagers approached the riverbank, the stench confirmed the horror. By the time authorities collected and buried all the bodies on May 11th, the count had risen to 71. And this was at just one bend in the sacred Ganges, by the village of Chausa on the border between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India's poorest, most underdeveloped states. In the same week at least three other grisly human logjams were reported upstream," the report said. "These sad scenes reveal two things. One is the scale of the tragedy now sweeping India's vast interior. Far away from city labs, no one gets tested, so no cases are recorded, so no deaths are captured in the national toll, which at 258,000 is a small fraction of the real tally," The Economist reported. The second thing the bodies in the Ganges reveal is how India's second wave is worsening the already harsh lot of its poor. "People borrow money to pay for medicines, or for oxygen, or for an ambulance driver who has charged them extra Covid rates," Utpal Pathak, a local journalist was quoted in the report. "Then they can't afford the funeral." In recent weeks, say residents of Chausa, the cost of a cremation has tripled. It is telling that the authorities, despite denying that poverty has anything to do with the scandal, have started supplying free wood to the funeral ghats of Chausa. Bihar has also capped the price of ambulances. After the first Covid-19 wave swept India last year, numerous reports tried to tally the cost to the poor. Pew, a research institute, estimates that whereas just 4.3 per cent of Indians were earning less than $2 a day in January 2020, a year later, this had risen to 9.7 per cent, or 134m people. An in-depth study by Azim Premji University in Bangalore suggests that in the wake of last year's nationwide lockdown, some 230m Indians slipped below a poverty threshold tied to the national minimum wage (around $45 a month). Its researchers found that, during the lockdown, 90 per cent of the poor consumed less food. Six months later, their diets had not returned to normal. Over the course of the year the earnings of Indian workers, including the lucky 10 per cent who hold salaried jobs, declined by a third, The Economist said. Shocked by the pain it caused last year, the central government has left state and local governments to impose their own lockdowns during this wave. "But though the economy has not come to a complete standstill, the sheer scale of the outbreak means lots of families have suffered just as much," the report said. For many, the biggest blow has been the loss of breadwinners. Indian Railways, which employs 1.2m people, says Covid has killed 1,952 of its staff. The state of Uttar Pradesh in April put 1.2m civil servants to work running local elections and counting ballots. The vote was a super-spreader and an estimated 2,000 of these workers subsequently died, including 800 schoolteachers, the report said. Each of those deaths represented weeks of trauma and expense for the families seeking treatment and, for every person that died, perhaps another 20 were seriously ill, it added. "And in an ordinary year, one in every 20 families is pushed into poverty by medical expenses. The past two months have been anything but ordinary. Millions of desperate Indian families have been forced to sell gold, to pawn possessions or to borrow at usurious rates, all too often in order to pay for unnecessary treatments prescribed by harried doctors, or to provide basic items lacking in government hospitals, from oxygen tanks to syringes," the report added. The variety of traps they have fallen into seems endless: medical staff demanding bribes to secure hospital admission, suppliers of fake medicines, and even, in several states, conmen who have painted over fire extinguishers to sell as oxygen cylinders, it added. Mostly, however, the government is notable by its absence. Harsh Vardhan, the health minister, who has promoted herbal Covid "cures", last week advised Indians to eat extra-dark chocolate with "more than 70 per cent cocoa" in order to beat Covid-related stress. Perhaps he should read a recent World Bank report, which shows that 86 per cent of Indian families cannot afford a basic balanced diet, let alone fancy chocolate, The Economist said. --IANSsan/
<br>Ayurveda recognises the mind, the body, and its spirit as interdependent constituents that make up the human body. It divides all people into possessing one among these three broad categories of Dosha-' Vata (ether/air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water/earth). Following the theories of Ayurveda, we all have one dominant dosha-- a type of bodily humour. An individual's unique ratio of Kapha, Vata, and Pitta is said to define their Ayurvedic constitution-- their personal roadmap to achieve optimal health, and when out of balance, the cause of several diseases. This theory of the 'Tridosha' is the substance of all diagnostic treatments in Ayurveda. Vata binds Akasha and Vayu and ensures unhindered body movement. Breathing and excretion, food absorption and cell growth and regeneration; muscle movement, and balance-- all of this is governed by the Vata Dosha. Pitta binds Agni and Jal and is the principal regulator of body alkalinity. It is primarily responsible for generating vision, colour, and warmth in the body. Kapha on the other hand is the energy that binds Prithvi and Jal. It is the force that maintains homeostasis, constitutes the structural framework in our body even while forming several protective coverings of different organs.Ayurveda enlists a total of 8 Prakritis based on the knowledge that there is no 'one size fits all' approach in health. Each individual has his/her own dominant dosha or a combination of two or three of these elemental forces. In Ayurveda, this divergence from Prakruti, Vikruti, is the cause of all diseases. Keeping a check on your specific tridosha can help prevent and also treat these diseases. You can treat these individual doshas as follows:* Vata represents movement and all challenges such as constipation, insomnia, lower back pain, cough, etc. should include warm milk, butter, cereals, fruits, and warm drinks like hot water in their diet. Spices like cumin, ginger, and cloves, and a healthy Vata-balanced diet are essential to keep all diseases at bay. A warm glass of milk garnished with turmeric and cardamom, and sleep before 11 p.m. is advisable.* Pitta Dosha is the energy of digestion and metabolism in the body. A Pitta-dominant individual can experience health issues related to heat and acidity in the body. Short temperedness, acid reflux, restlessness, and rashes are common ailments in such people. Those with the Pitta Dosha should meditate and take food in moderate amounts. Consumption of refreshing food like salads, cold milk, and fruits during summer is a must. They must consume grains, vegetables, and cereals in abundance and avoid oily, spicy, and fermented food. Engaging in a couple of quiet hours meditating and contemplating is a good practice.* Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. When out of balance, a Kapha-dominant individual can experience problems that are a consequence of the accumulation of fat. Obesity, respiratory congestion, poor diet, a feeling of heaviness, swelling, and depression can become crucial ailments in individuals with the Kapha Dosha. Such individuals are advised to engage in vigorous physical activity, take up warm beverages, and include spices such as cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, and sesame seeds in their diet.Ayurveda and Yoga in unison can help one achieve a healthy lifestyle-- free of most common diseases. Trying to understand your unique Dosha, and accepting Ayurveda as a way of life can change your life. Well, after all, isn't a healthy mind and body our ultimate goal after all?(Radhika Iyer Talati is an entrepreneur & Founder of Beauty by Anahata, Yogini, and Philanthropist)<br> <br>(IANSlife can be contacted at [email protected])--IANS<br>tb/<br>
What is Cervical Spondylosis?
Cervical spondylosis is a disorder in which there is abnormal wear on the cartilage and/bones of the neck (cervical vertebrae) and it is a common cause of chronic neck pain. It is a degenerative condition of the cervical spine affecting the middle and old age group of both sexes leads to pain and stiffness in the neck, radiating pain to the arm, paraesthesia, numbness, headache, giddiness, etc.
In Ayurveda, Cervical spondylosis is caused by a Vata dosha aggravation and it’s mainly a Vata problem. Its clinical presentation is similar to Vishwachi in which degenerative condition of the cervical spine is common. It’s a disease that mainly affects the neck and upper extremities having signs and symptoms similar to that of cervical spondylosis. Vishwachi is a vataja nanatmaja vikara. The involvement of Vata in the clinical manifestation of vishwachi is of prime importance.
Cervical Spondylosis Symptoms & Signs
Often develop slowly over time, but they get worse suddenly
Pain may be mild/it can be deep and so severe that affected movements
After standing/sitting at night, the pain gets worsen
Pain over the shoulder blade/it may spread to the upper arm, forearm, fingers
Pain gets worse at night/sneezing/coughing/laughing/bending the neck backward/walking more than a few yards
Muscles weakness
Neck stiffness that gets worsen
Abnormal sensation/numbness in the shoulders/arms/legs
Headache (especially back of the head)
Balance loss
If pressure occurs on the spinal cord then, loss of control occurs over the bladder/bowels
Moving the head may make the pain worse and after sleeping neck stiffness is more common
Sometimes, these all changes result in a compression of the blood vessels, it can affect the blood supply to the brain and results in dizziness and blackouts
Dysphagia can occur rarely
Cervical Spondylosis Causes
It is caused by chronic wear on the cervical spine, includes the discs/cushions between the neck vertebrae and the joints b/w the bones of the cervical spine, there may be abnormal growths/spurs on the bones of the spine (vertebrae)
The major risk factor is aging. At the age of 60, most persons show signs of cervical spondylosis
Other factors include
Being overweight/not exercising
Having a job that requires heavy lifting/lot of bending/twisting
Past neck injury
Past spine surgery
Ruptured/slipped disc
Severe arthritis/small fractures/osteoporosis
When to See Your Doctor for Cervical Spondylosis Disease?
When pain and stiffness around the neck occur for long days and found unable to move properly your neck and facing difficulty and pain while bending, along with signs and symptoms that affect your daily routine, then you should consult the doctor.
Risk Factors of Cervical Spondylosis
Age- it’s a normal part of aging, occurs more commonly in old age persons
Occupation- Overhead work put extra stress on your neck
Neck injuries/Trauma
Genetic factors inherent
Repeated occupational trauma: carrying axial loads/professional dancing/gymnastics
Some conditions that contribute to segmental instability and excessive segmental motion like congenitally fused spine/cerebral palsy/down syndrome
Some myelopathy causes
Smoking also a risk factor
Cervical radiculopathy
Cervical Spondylosis Prevention
Regular exercise for the speedy recovery
A heated pad/cold pack can provide pain relief when the neck muscles become sore
A soft neck brace can temporarily relieve pain if a person wears them for short periods
Maintain neck muscle strength, especially neck extensor strength for prevention in general
Avoid holding the head in 1 position (for long duration)
Avoid prolonged head extension
Be careful while performing physical activities
Hot shower in the morning can help
Headrest & seatbelt also may reduce the risk of developing this condition
Yoga Therapy: balasana, natarajasana, bitilasana, marjaryasana, viparitakaranai asana, utthita trikonasana, shavasana can help to reduce the effect of cervical spondylosis
Diagnosis of Cervical Spondylosis
X-Ray/MRI
EMG & nerve conduction velocity test may be done to examine nerve root function
The doctor will check the range of motion in your neck for proper identification and location of pain
Reflexes and muscle strength will be tested to find out if there’s pressure on your spinal nerves/spinal cord
Gait examinations
CT-scan
Myelography
Nerve conduction study
What to avoid in Cervical Spondylosis?
Potato/cucumber/cold drinks/ice-cream/rajma/dry meat, etc. Avoided
Bending/sudden stretching/weight lifting to be avoided for making it more severe
Long journey on two-wheeler/sitting in abnormal posture/sitting for a long time to be avoided
Avoid holding the head in 1 position ( for longer duration)
Avoid prolonged head extension
Be careful while performing physical activities
Consumption of high-fat dairy products can lead to inflammation
Avoid processed food completely
Alcohol/smoking
Avoid meat and dairy products which contain saturated foods & arachidonic acids
Avoid more caffeine consumption
Avoid red meat
Avoid foods that lead to more production of acidity
Avoid spicy/hot/salty/oily foods
What to eat in Cervical Spondylosis?
Black gram/horse gram/wheat/rice
Gingili oil/mustard oil/milk/butter/soar fruits
Dry grapes/garlic
Drumstick fruits & leaves
Consume a diet that is rich in anti-inflammatory food substances
Fish/nuts/oilseeds/omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin- E rich foods
Apple/garlic/ginger/turmeric
Turmeric milk
Diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids
Replace rice with wheat
Bitter gaud/drumstick bitter vegetables
Questions & Answers
Q1. Why Cervical Spondylosis occur in old-age people?
Ans. Older age is a risk factor as in addition to age, people often get more likely to experience neck pain. It is the general term for age-related wear & tear affecting the spinal discs in the neck region. Also, it is caused due to disks dehydration and shrinking. In most people age > 50, discs between the vertebrae become less spongy & provide less of a cushion. Bones & ligaments get thicker and encroached the space of the spinal canal.
Q2. If myelopathy occurs with cervical spondylosis, then what will be the symptoms like?
Ans. Symptoms of cervical spondylosis with myelopathy include tingling/numbness/weakness in the arms, hands, legs, feet/lack of coordination & difficulty walking/abnormal reflexes/muscle spasms/loss of control over bladder/bowel incontinence.
Q3. How is Cervical Spondylosis diagnosed properly?
Ans. By taking a medical history with signs and symptoms appearing, it will be followed by a physical exam of the body by focussing on the neck/back/shoulders. The strength of hands and arms/reflexes test/loss of sensation checkups/walk/equilibrium can be tested. Other tests also can be done include x-ray/computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging( MRI), EMV tests, etc.
Q4. According to Ayurveda, which disease is similar to that of cervical spondylosis?
Ans. In Ayurveda, Cervical spondylosis is caused by a Vata dosha aggravation and it’s mainly a Vata problem. Its clinical presentation is similar to Vishwachi in which degenerative condition of the cervical spine is common. It’s a disease that mainly affects the neck and upper extremities having signs and symptoms similar to cervical spondylosis. Vishwachi is a vataja nanatmaja vikara. The involvement of Vata in the clinical manifestation of vishwachi is of prime importance.
Q5. What exactly is the meaning of the term ‘Spondylosis’?
Ans. Spondylosis is basically a painful condition and situation of the spine which results from the degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Often, it is considered a general term for age-related wear & tear of the spinal discs. It affects the vertebral discs and facet joints that gradually develop with age. This condition can narrow the spinal canal that further results in the compression of the spinal cord & nerve roots. Chronic compression can lead to damage to the spinal cord/can cause radicular arm pain further.
Q6. What are the complications of Cervical Spondylosis?
Ans. Complications of cervical spondylosis include: cervical myelopathy/paraplegia/tetraplegia/recurrent chest infection/pressure sores/recurrent urinary tract infection/progressive neurologic deficits/documented compression of the cervical nerve root/or spinal cord/intractable pain.
Q7. What is the role of psychosocial support in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?
Ans. Some patients with significant disabilities often react with fear/anxiety/depression. Postoperative depression is significantly associated with pain intensity/pain interference/pain-related disability. After surgery, results of one study of depression/negative affect among spinal surgery patients suggest postoperative screening for depression and treating depression to improve functional outcomes after spine surgery.
Q8. What are the various exercises and therapies recommended for cervical spondylosis?
Ans. Various exercises recommended to ease the symptoms of cervical spondylosis are neck stretch/neck tilt/side-to-side neck tilt/neck turn with 5 repetitions. In Ayurveda, some yoga therapies are there like, balasana, natarajasana, bitilasana, marjaryasana, viparitakaranai asana, utthita trikonasana, shavasana can help to reduce the effect of cervical spondylosis.
Q9. What is the role of physical therapy in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?
Ans. Usually, immobilization of the cervical spine occurs with severe cervical spondylosis with evidence of myelopathy. It limits the motion of the neck. Soft cervical collars are recommended for daytime use only. Patient’s tolerance and compliance are considered when any braces used. Isometric cervical exercises may help to limit the loss of muscle tone. Molded cervical pillows can better align the spine during sleep & provide symptomatic relief for some patients. Neck & upper back exercises are recommended. Yoga therapies also play an important role to reduce the inflammation and pain in cervical spondylosis.
Q10. How cervical spondylosis is cured through the Ayurveda line of treatment?
Ans. During the acute phase (about a week), usually complete bed rest & use of a thin pillow & hard bed is recommended. After acute phase, some panchakarma procedures like sadyovirechana, greevabasti, abhyanga, patra pinda sveda, nasya should be done.
Podikkizhi, ilakikizhi, greeva pichu, tailadhara, panchatikta & ksheera basti, shalishastic pinda sweda is also recommend. Mainly, all the above procedures done after examine the bala and prakriti of the patients. Along with these procedures, shamana chikitsa with recommend classical formulations should be given to the patient.
References
1. Longmore, Wilkinson, Davidson, Foulkes, Mafi, Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine 8th Edition
2. Kayachikitsa Volume-3by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sharma (2017)
3. Charak Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana- ch-28
4. J.Alastair Innes, Davidson’s Essential of Medicine 2nd edition
5. K Sembulingam, P Sembulingam, Essentials of Medical Physiology 6th Edition
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