Steer Clear Of Monsoon Diseases

By making changes in lifestyle, kidney diseases cannot only be prevented but also controlled in their early stages, said experts. Himanshu Verma, Head of the Department of Nephrology at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, said in his presentation that the process from kidney disease to kidney failure happens in five stages. "But it is possible to completely overcome the disease in the first and second stages. For this, first of all, it is necessary to have awareness among the patients so that the disease can be identified in the initial stage itself." According to him, keeping the body mass index (BMI) between 20-25, walking 30 minutes a day and at least five days a week, changing lifestyle, and reducing the consumption of pain-relieving medicines, among other precautions, are effective in controlling the disease in the initial stage. Patients with diabetes and high blood pressure would be at the highest risk of kidney disease. "This risk can be much higher for people over 60 years of age with any of these diseases." The experts also talked about alternative treatment methods of ayurveda like Neeri KFT, a traditional ayurvedic polyherbal formulation that has been found to be effective in regulating functions of at least six genes variants causing kidney dysfunction. In concluding remarks, Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director, of AIMIL Pharma, said the nine-day-long program experts discussed extensively how to avoid kidney diseases and how to manage them. "This discussion shows that no standards can be fixed to prevent the disease but a dynamic approach needs to be adopted," he said. Studies have warned that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in India is on the rise among those dealing with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Read More►Debunking 5 Common Diabetes Myths

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

Across India, it is raining cats and dogs, and while Monsoons provide the much-needed relief from the scorching heat, they are also responsible for a variety of skin and eye infections. During the season, common eye conditions include bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis, and allergies. When the weather conditions are favourable for bacteria and viruses to thrive, maintaining ocular hygiene becomes critical. The skin around the eyes is crucial for eye health. Because the skin around our eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of our bodies, it requires special attention not only to combat various monsoon eye infections but also to prevent premature ageing. Anjula Masurkar, Clinical Director of ENTOD Pharmaceuticals shares tips you should include in your daily beauty regime: Never Forget to Moisturise During the monsoon, the humidity level is often high, and we often overlook the use of moisturiser. However, medical and beauty experts all over the world agree that moisturising your under-eye skin is essential. When our skin loses water, it shrinks and wrinkles form. You don't need to purchase any additional moisturiser for your under-eye skin. As long as it does not irritate your under-eye skin, your regular face moisturiser will suffice. You can also invest in eye serums or creams for better results. Make Sure Your Hands Are Clean Germs are primarily transmitted through our hands and nails. Before touching your eyes or the areas around them, you must practise proper hand hygiene. Hand hygiene should include cleaning and trimming fingernails, which can harbour dirt and germs and contribute to the spread of some infections. Make sure your fingernails are short and clean on the underside. Sun Protection is Mandatory Sun rays are also damaging to the skin around your eyes. If you don't take care of it, your under eyes will darken. When applying sunscreen, be sure to dab it around the eyes, including the under-eyes and upper lids. These are frequently overlooked areas when applying sunscreen. It shields the skin around the eyes from UVA and UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen that is both waterproof and sweatproof. Treat Yourself With Massage A simple message may help if you notice that your puffy eyes come and go but are more noticeable when you're tired or haven't been sleeping well. Massage the area around your eyes to increase blood circulation. The massage pressure may aid in the drainage of excess fluid and the reduction of puffiness in this area. However, make sure that you massage gently. Opting The Nonsurgical Route While prevention is always the best option, if you are under the age of 30, genetics and age can work in your favour. If topical treatments are no longer effective, non-surgical options such as laser resurfacing and neuromodulation (Botox) to fillers are available. These procedures reduce the volume under your eyes and give you a more youthful appearance. If you are not comfortable with the above-mentioned treatments, you can also opt for under-eye gel serums, which contain the solution to all under-eye problems. (Agency) Read More► Impact of Brain Tumour on Quality of Life

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?