Reduce Pain From Chemotherapy

Anyone can experience fatigue at any moment, although it usually manifests itself after strenuous physical activity, a demanding workday, or both. Exercise frequently results in fatigue, which can be reduced by getting enough rest, taking a good nap, or getting a full night's sleep. Contrarily, fatigue is a persistent, uncharacteristic state of tiredness and sleepiness. It might be difficult and demotivating to maintain your regular routine when you're tired. It may be chronic (lasting longer than a month) or acute (lasting more than a month or 1 to 6 months or longer). One's short- and long-term levels of fatigue are directly related to the food they eat. For instance, iron deficiency is linked to fatigue, reduced work capacity, and subpar academic performance. Similar to empty calorie items, foods with added sugar and solid fats like sweets and soft drinks have little nutritional benefit. As a result, you might feel full even when you haven't eaten any of the nutrient-dense foods your body needs. In order to survive in the fundamental metabolic processes that enable core cellular functioning, we all require a balanced diet and adequate nutrition. Because of their involvement in energy-producing metabolism, DNA synthesis, oxygen transport, and cerebral functions, a balanced diet is crucial for brain and muscle function. As a result, cognitive and psychological processes are impacted, including physical and mental fatigue. Iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, and the B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, and B12) all help fight weariness. Here are some easy tips on using diet and nutrition to beat tiredness and stay upbeat: Add Protein to You Diet Protein helps keep up stamina levels and build endurance. Because it helps your muscle to repair wear and tear, and reduces muscle loss, it ensures your body has enough muscle to sustain everyday living. This is the reason why athletes or those with active lifestyles swear by protein intake through their diet or supplements. Hydration is The Key One might wonder, how a calorie less, flavourless liquid like water help with energy levels. Dehydration causes symptoms such as fatigue and tiredness. Even mild dehydration can alter a person's mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly, research by the University of Connecticut has found. Effect of dehydration on concentration, fatigue and anxiety is even more profound for women. Cut Down on Caffeine 'Do not talk to me till I have had my morning coffee', does this internet meme sound familiar? Caffeine lovers, especially those who cannot start their days without a generous "energizing" dose of coffee or tea, are actually pushing themselves towards greater fatigue over the course of the day. Coffee might act as a temporary brain stimulant raising your energy level and focus for a short term, but can quickly result in an energy crash later. Moreover, it can build dependence and interference with the natural circadian rhythm, or sleep cycle. In all, for every cup of coffee, drink two extra cups of water. Cheers to Alcohol, Invitation to Fatigue A full alcohol glass might leave your energy levels half empty. Not only does it dehydrate your body and disturb sleeping and eating patterns, the alcohol raises the body's level of epinephrine, a stress hormone that increases the heart rate and generally stimulates the body, which can result in nighttime awakenings, according to Harvard Health Publishing. If you are going out or staying in every other night, reduce your alcohol intake. Do the same for smoking. Eat Well Eating processed foods, ordering in frequently, and whipping up sugar-laden recipes on the regular can reduce the nutrients going in your body, and disproportionately imbalance your meals. Take the calorie intake prescribed for your age, gender and activity level, and do not go for fad/extreme diets in the name of weight loss or spot reduction. Food is your body's fuel and tiredness is inevitable if it is not getting enough quantity and/or good quality. A healthy diet requires physical activity, enough sleep, mental peace, and relaxation. Vital vitamins and minerals can be obtained naturally from a variety of sources, such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. The essential nutritional requirements vary from person to person due to factors including age, gender, and medical circumstances like pregnancy and lactation. In addition, conditions, lifestyle decisions, and restrictions all play a role. (Dr. Vivek Srivastava, Senior Vice President, Zeon Lifesciences) Read More► Lifestyle and Nutrition – Ayurvedic Perspective

London: A team of researchers, led by those of Indian-origin, has in a breakthrough developed a single gene therapy injection that could dramatically reduce the bleeding risk faced by people with haemophilia B. Haemophilia B is a rare and inherited genetic bleeding disorder caused by low levels of the factor IX (FIX) protein, needed for forming blood clots that help prevent or stop bleeding. The gene responsible for making FIX protein is located on the X chromosome, so the severe form of haemophilia B is much more common in men. Currently, patients with haemophilia B need to inject themselves regularly usually weekly with recombinant FIX, that is, regular replacement therapy to prevent excessive bleeding. Despite advances in treatment, patients may continue to see debilitating joint damage. But the new type of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy candidate called FLT180a, developed by researchers from University College London treats severe and moderately severe cases of the condition. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that one-time treatment with FLT180a led to sustained production of FIX protein from the liver in nine of 10 patients across four different dose levels, removing the need for regular replacement therapy. "Removing the need for haemophilia patients to regularly inject themselves with the missing protein is an important step in improving their quality of life," said lead author Professor Pratima Chowdary, Royal Free Hospital at UCL Cancer Institute. AAV gene therapy works by using a packaging from the proteins found in the outer coat of the virus, to deliver a functional copy of a gene directly to patient tissues to compensate for one that is not working properly. Newly synthesised proteins are released into the blood and a one-time infusion can achieve long-lasting effects. Patients needed to take immunosuppressive drugs over several weeks to several months to prevent their immune systems from rejecting the therapy. While the treatment was generally well tolerated, all patients experienced some form of adverse events, with an abnormal blood clot in one who received the highest FLT180a dose and had the highest levels of FIX protein. In nine out of the 10 patients, the treatment led to a sustained increase in FIX protein production, which led to a decrease in excessive bleeding. They also no longer required weekly injections of FIX protein. After 26 weeks, five patients had normal levels of FIX protein, three had low but increased levels, and one patient treated at the highest dose had an abnormally high level. (Agency) Read More► Impact of Brain Tumour on Quality of Life

People who regularly fast are less likely to experience severe complications from Covid-19, suggests a study. Intermittent fasting has previously shown to have a host of health benefits, including lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The findings, published week in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, showed that Covid patients who practised regular water-only intermittent fasting had lower risk of hospitalisation or dying due to the virus than patients who did not. "Intermittent fasting has already shown to lower inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. In this study, we're finding additional benefits when it comes to battling an infection of Covid-19 in patients who have been fasting for decades," said Benjamin Horne, director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at Intermountain Healthcare in the US. In the study, researchers identified 205 patients who had tested positive for the virus between March 2020 and February 2021 -- before vaccines were widely available. Of these, 73 said they regularly fasted at least once a month. Researchers found that those who practised regular fasting had a lower rate of hospitalisation or death due to coronavirus. "Intermittent fasting was not associated with whether or not someone tested positive Covid-19, but it was associated with lower severity once patients had tested positive for it," Horne said. While Horne said that more research is needed to understand why intermittent fasting is associated with better Covid outcomes, he said it's most likely due to a host of ways that it affects the body. For example, fasting reduces inflammation, especially since hyperinflammation is associated with poor Covid-19 outcomes. In addition, after 12 to 14 hours of fasting, the body switches from using glucose in the blood to ketones, including linoleic acid. "There's a pocket on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 that linoleic acid fits into -- and can make the virus less able to attach to other cells," he said. Another potential benefit is that intermittent fasting promotes autophagy, which is "the body's recycling system that helps your body destroy and recycle damaged and infected cells", Horne added. Horne stressed that these results are from people who have been practising intermittent fasting for decades -- not weeks -- and that anyone who wants to consider the practice should consult their doctors first, especially if they are elderly, pregnant, or have conditions like diabetes, heart, or kidney disease. Researchers also stressed intermittent fasting shouldn't be seen as a substitute for Covid vaccination. (Agency) Read More► Reducing Air Pollution May Improve Brain Development in Children

Ranchi: Cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni is troubled by knee pain these days and has turned to a doctor in his native place for treatment. This doctor attends his patients under a tree in a remote village in Ranchi. Vaidya Bandhan Singh Kharwar, who treats ailments with wild herbs, like all his patients, charged Dhoni Rs 40 for a single dose of medicine. About 70 km from Ranchi, at Katingkela in Lapung police station area, Vaidya Bandhan Singh Kharwar has been treating patients for the last 28 years. He has a tarpaulin tent under a tree where Dhoni has been visiting him for last one month at an interval of four days to get a dose of his medicine. The medicine prepared by this Vaidya for the treatment of bone ailments is such that it cannot be carried home. Before Dhoni, his parents were treated by this doctor. Vaidya Bandhan Singh Kherwar said that he did not initially recognise Dhoni's parents nor could he recognise Dhoni. He learnt of his famous patient only when the youths in the neighbourhood gathered around for photos with him. Vaidya said that "Dhoni comes like a normal patient without any pomp. He has no pride in being a celebrity. However, now every four days, the news of Dhoni's arrival gathers his fans here. So now he sits in his car while his medicine is administered to him." Also, Read in Hindi► वैद्य खेरवार से घुटनों के दर्द का आयुर्वेदिक उपचार करा रहे हैं महेंद्र सिंह धौनी