Rainy Season

During the monsoon, there is an increased chance of getting a cold or other gastrointestinal infections, particularly for pregnant women. You should take steps to ensure that your food is taken care of in addition to the standard precautions like frequently washing your hands and avoiding contact with ill people. The following advice can help you stay healthy throughout the monsoon season. Home Cooked Food As the weather cools down and the rains begin, our appetites change and we start craving comfort food. However, for pregnant women, it's important to be careful about what they eat during this time. While there are many tempting options available, home-cooked food is always the best choice for a pregnant woman's diet during monsoon. Not only is it more nutritious, but it's also less likely to contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Instead of reaching for deep fried snacks or fast food from outside, you can enjoy tasty and nutritious quick meals that are cooked at home. For example, roughly diced boiled potatoes that are seasoned with some salt and pepper work perfectly, these could even work great when mixed with some curds and sprinkled with just a little bit of sev for some crunch. Staying Hydrated Pregnant women must take care of hydration, this is especially true during the monsoon season as we do tend to consume less water due to the wet and humid climate. Dehydration, however, is a dangerous condition to have during pregnancy as it can can lead to complications such as urinary tract infections, preeclampsia, and preterm labour, and hence, must be avoided at all costs. While water is always the best choice for staying hydrated, pregnant women can also opt for homemade fruit juices, coconut water, and buttermilk. It is important to avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol, as these can actually worsen dehydration. Pregnant women should also consume fibre-rich food, which will help to regulate digestion and prevent constipation, which is a common problem during pregnancy. By following these simple tips, pregnant women can stay healthy and comfortable throughout the monsoon season. Eating Fresh Food During pregnancy, pregnant women frequently experience cravings for specific meals, but it's crucial to make sure that these cravings are healthful. Prepackaged sugary or fried foods may appeal to some women's cravings, but they also raise the risk of gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain, thyroid problems, and other metabolic diseases. Instead, women should concentrate on eating nutrient-dense fresh fruits and vegetables, which are crucial for preserving pregnancy wellness. They also aid in blood sugar regulation, which helps lessen cravings for sweet meals. During the monsoon season, there is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that are easily available. Oranges, berries, spinach, sweet limes, cabbage, grapefruits and many more such fruits and veggies are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Pregnant women should take advantage of this by including them in their diet. This will not only help them to stay healthy, but it will also ensure that their baby gets the nutrients it needs. As a precaution, pregnant women are advised to avoid consuming raw foods during the monsoon season. Generally, raw foods can contain bacteria and microorganisms that cause food poisoning. Therefore, pregnant women should eat cooked food instead of raw food during the monsoon season. While monsoons are refreshing, it is advisable to take safety measures to avoid contracting any food-borne infections or other health dangers. The health of the mother and unborn child is extremely vulnerable during pregnancy, and it is crucial to ensure the ideal growth of the child. Expectant moms should take enough protein, calcium, iron, vitamins, folic acid, and iodine in their meals in addition to maintaining a healthy diet and nutrition. A healthy and safe pregnancy will be ensured by taking all of these additional safety measures throughout the monsoon season. (Rohit Shelatkar, VP at Vitabitotics, Fitness & Nutrition Expert) Read More► Simple Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Fat Loss Journey

On a humid afternoon, nothing beats a glass of rehydrating drink. After a few sips, you're ready to face the weather monster again. As the monsoon season begins in India, I'm sure we'll will enjoy the rainy days, earthy smell, and tasty snacks. But, don't forget, the changing weather can also have negative effects on our bodies. One of the most common issues we see is dehydration. As a result, we've compiled a list of ready-to-drink rehydrating beverages that you should try this monsoon season. Watermelon Drink/Juice Watermelon juice is another great way to stay hydrated and refreshed during the sludgy season. It contains Vitamins A, B6, B1, and C, providing a slew of advantages. Watermelon is 90 per cent water, making it an excellent hydration drink. It also contains a lot of amino acids, antioxidants, and Lypocene. Minute Maid provides tetra-packed and bottled ready-to-drink watermelon juice with 100 per cent natural flavours for convenience. Coconut Water That coconut water for you is a nutritious drink that is low in calories and carbs. Natural vitamins and minerals abound in coconut water. As a result, it is an excellent hydration beverage during the summer and monsoon seasons. The beverage hydrates you while keeping your calorie and carbohydrate intake to a minimum. While carrying a coconut around can be inconvenient, brands such as Earth-made Organix, Real, and others offer ready-to-drink bottled tender coconut water that you can consume anywhere, at any time. Electrolyte Drinks An electrolyte is a mineral that aids in the maintenance of our body's water level. They can be found in blood, tissues, organs, and so on. Water, electrolytes (usually sodium and potassium), and water are all ingredients in electrolyte drinks. These drinks are mostly water because their main purpose is to rehydrate. Although the electrolyte and sugar, levels can vary depending on the intended use, such as post-exercise recovery or recovery from diarrhoea or sickness. Gatorade, ORS, Electoral, and other readily available electrolyte drinks are examples. Smoothies Smoothies are another excellent way to incorporate electrolyte-rich foods into your diet. Smoothies contain whole foods such as fruits, seeds, vegetables, nuts, and so on, which provide our bodies with the nutrients they require. You should choose this drink if you want to replace lost electrolytes in a healthy and nutritious way that isn't too heavy to consume. Daily Harvest and Revive Superfoods, for example, provide a wide range of ready-to-drink healthy smoothies. (Agency) Read More► Should You Try Plant-Based Protein?

It is very common during the winter and monsoon seasons for us to be more susceptible to various infections. According to Ayurveda, a year is divided into 2 kaalas i.e., Uttaryana and Dakshinayana. Each kaala consists of 3 seasons, and so 6 seasons per year with each season persisting for about 2 months. Uttaryana Kaala (14 January to 14 July) Shishir Ritu (Winter) Mid- January to Mid- March Vasant Ritu (Spring) Mid- March to Mid-May Grishma Ritu (Summer) Mid- May to Mid- July Dakshinayana Kaala (14 July to 14 January) Varsha Ritu (Monsoon) Mid- July to Mid- September Sharad Ritu (Autumn/ Fall) Mid- September to Mid- November Hemant Ritu (Late Autumn/Pre-Winter) Mid- November to Mid- January Out of these 6 seasons, Shishir Ritu (winter) extending from Mid-January to Mid-March is a period that remains cold and windy. Ritusandhi: 'Ritu' means season and 'Sandhi' means junction. It Is a junctional period consisting of the last 7 days of the previous season and the first 7 days of the next season. During this period, our body is prone to infections. The common ailments which occur during the winter season are: Common Cold: A common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused mainly by viruses. It mainly affects children, old aged people and other immune-compromised individuals. The symptoms include throat irritation, cough with or without phlegm, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, headache and a low-grade fever. Stomach Flu: Stomach flu can spread rapidly during the winter season and is caused by the Norovirus. In this condition, there is an ongoing inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach. It can be easily transmitted through food and drinks and through feco-oral contamination. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps. The person may also feel chills, headaches, fatigue and muscle aches. Extreme Dry Skin: Dry skin also known as winter skin, is usually worsened during the winter season when the environmental humidity is very low. This is because of the cold and dry air which evaporates the water content of the skin very quickly, making it dry and tight. Skin can be prone to inflammations during this period. Asthma: Asthma is a condition in which the airway becomes narrow and inflamed, leading to difficulty in breathing, cough and wheezing. For some Individuals, these symptoms may flare up during the winter season. The cold dry air can irritate the airways, producing more mucus and increasing the symptoms. Also, the cold environment can worsen airway constriction. Flu: Flu is commonly mistaken for a common cold but both are different. It is a common viral infection that can be even life-threatening in highly vulnerable groups. It affects the lungs, throat and nose. Flu commonly affects younger and older populations and also people who have reduced immunity or other underlying chronic conditions. Symptoms include high fever, chills, sore throat, nausea, swollen lymph nodes and headache. Wellness Tips for Winter Ailments Practice Good Personal Hygiene: Practising good personal hygiene is one of the most important ways to protect yourself from getting infectious diseases such as stomach flu, common cold and flu. It also helps to prevent the spread of infection from yourself to the next person. Yogic Kriyas: Practising yogic kriyas such as Jala neti will help to remove the excess mucous from the upper respiratory tract and help in the proper airflow without any obstruction. Thus it also helps in asthmatic conditions and alleviates congestion, allergies and cold. It should be practised under the guidance of a proper Yoga trainer. Care should be taken to blow the nostril properly after the practice to avoid headaches. Herbal Remedies Basil: Basil has good antiseptic and antiviral properties and is recommended for viral infections like the common cold and flu. It also helps to liquefy the phlegm and is effective for cough and Asthma. It can be added as a topping to soups and sauces Turmeric: Turmeric has a great antiviral property and acts effectively against the influenza virus. It is also rich in antioxidants and has an anti-inflammatory property. Dietary Measures Vitamin C Rich Foods: Taking Vitamin C rich food is essential for the repair of the tissues. It helps to improve the production of white blood cells and fights against infection. Vitamin C rich foods include Amla, strawberries, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, pepper, citrus fruits like lemon, orange. Probiotics: Probiotics reduces the possibility of getting upper respiratory tract infections. They help to keep the immune system healthy. It includes buttermilk, fermented rice water, pickled vegetables, kefir etc. Stay Hydrated: Having a sufficient amount of warm water will help to maintain the moisture content of the skin. Hot Soups: Soups are a great diet to be added to our winter menu. This can be further enhanced by using various herbs and spices which are good for winters such as rosemary, oregano, ginger, garlic, pepper, cumin etc. Exercise: Moderate exercise is extremely important to keep our metabolism high. We can get into cardio or yoga practices that help to elevate the body heat and to improve heart functions so that the circulation can be improved to different parts of the body. (Dr Manoj Kutteri, Wellness Director, Atmantan Wellness Centre) Read More► Understanding The Need of Nail Hygiene After Covid

<br>So with safety necessarily being the watch-word during upcoming celebrations, whether outdoor or indoors, listed are five healthcare items that people must ensure they have in their homes in the coming weeks and months for any possible emergency. A tip would be to buy them in advance to avoid facing any shortage and high costs later.An assortment of measurement devices:A regular thermometer, and preferably a digital infrared one, is indispensable in people's homes. After all, a temperature check is one of the first measures that we unfailingly take to not only for Covid-19 but also for any other illnesses or disorders. Then particularly with respect to Covid-19 as also other respiratory conditions, a pulse oximeter to keep a track of our oxygen levels must also become an essential in our healthcare toolkit at home. High quality masks:High quality masks are our first line of defence against the dreaded virus. With their ability to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets from one person to another and thereby enabling containment of the infection, a mask is a key prerequisite for our upcoming celebrations, even indoors. One can look for high quality SMS-material masks which are usually four-layered and can keep the finest of particles at bay. Additionally, the ear loop of the mask which can be anti-allergic and adjustable for comfort during long wears. Choose a free-size mask that is washable for a reasonable number of times.A ready stockpile of nutraceuticals and supplements:To strengthen our immune systems, a ready repository of different nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, multivitamins and minerals comes handy. These could range from vitamin D to vitamin C supplements to micronutrients in the form of chewable zinc tablets and omega-3 supplements. While lack of Vitamin D has been long associated with respiratory issues, vitamin C is critical for the health of white blood cells which help fight infections. Similarly, while Omega 3's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and other benefits are fairly well known, zinc, too, has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant functions, critical to the fight against Covid-19. However, the dosage and quantity of these supplements must be decided in consultation with a practitioner. Steamers/vaporisers:Although experts have expressed doubt over the efficacy of steaming inhalations in curing the coronavirus, these inhalations have often been cited as a home remedy for common cold, stuffy nose, blocked air passages and other similar respiratory conditions. So, despite not being useful in treatment of Covid-19 in absolute sense, the impact on nasal passages and respiratory airways in a Covid case requires that we keep these steaming devices ready at hand in our homes. At the very least, these would go some way in relieving congestion and blockage in upper respiratory tract, which in turn could ward off compounding of respiratory woes in a Covid patient. The incoming winter bringing in with its common cold, flu etc further makes it necessary that we have these steaming devices at home regardless of Covid-19.Oxygen Concentrators:Wising up by the experiences during the second wave when hospitals had struggled to maintain uninterrupted supplies of medical oxygen, having oxygen concentrators at home would go a long way in bolstering our Covid-19 preparedness during the incoming festivities. Knowing full well how oxygen saturation can drop to dangerous levels on account of Covid-19, the presence of these devices can not only stabilize a patient in case of an emergency, but can also serve as a ready source of life-saving oxygen within the confines of a home. Because they are self-sufficient units constantly turning out medical oxygen from the ambient air while filtering out nitrogen, they need not be replenished as is the case with oxygen cylinders at hospitals. However, people should know that these machines are useful only for moderate Covid cases and patients with oxygen saturation levels below 90 must require hospital admission. Importantly, they are also useful for other respiratory disorders such as COPD and asthma, all of which could be aggravated owing to the excessive playfulness and physical activities during the celebrations. Welcome the festive season with caution and care by keeping these five items at home.(The author Kunal Saha is Director and Co-founder, Vandelay)(IANSlife can be contacted at [email protected])--IANS<br>sj/<br>