The immune system is our defense shield against germs. Our immune system is a complex system in which many parts of our body works in a coordinated way. Therefore, the immune system should be strengthened. Nutritionists say there are 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, and we often work excessively, especially in the winter, when the germs of the disease spread. “Instead of just waiting for us to sneeze, we must take steps to strengthen our immune system,” If you want to strengthen your immune system, do this in your daily routine! Drink Lemon Water According to Nutritionist Beginning your day by squeezing half a lemon in a glass of water, it not only refreshes the body, but it also has a positive effect on the digestive system by drinking it every morning, It is also an easy way to get vitamin C while it is very helpful for our immune system, using lemons in water is an ancient Chinese tradition as it also removes all harmful particles from the body. Use of Protein Rich Diet Many of us use a snack for sweet treats such as biscuits and cakes a few hours after lunch, which is not good for health. We must eat protein-rich snacks. Not only does protein moderate blood sugar but it also keeps the body energized, the use of protein is crucial for strengthening immune function. If you feel hungry in the evening then the use of snacks, boiled eggs or protein-rich snacks are helpful to the immune system and the use of protein strengthens the defense system. Early Eating at Night There are numerous benefits to eating early at night, including improved digestion and restful sleep, as well as eating early food at night has very positive results on our defense system. Studies show that late-night noshing increases triglyceride levels, a type of fat found in your blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn’t use right away into triglycerides; and high levels may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Why Do I Have Acne?
Why do I have ACNE? Everyone has its own opinion regarding acne … let’s take a look actually what acne is? why you have it? Acne Commonly called as Acne Vulgaris is a particularly common inflammatory and chronic disease which occurs when your hair follicle got trapped with oil (from oil glands situated at the base of follicles) or from dead skin cells. Majorly it can appear on your face, neck, back, shoulders, upper arms, and chest. CAUSES Frequent oil production Clogged hair follicles Hormonal: Androgens: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Bacterial ( Cutibactarium Acne) Particularly it can occur at any age but more common at the time of puberty in both boys and girls but most common in girls due to the production (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate which is also the indication of puberty in girls) FACTORS THAT CAN AGGRAVATE THE ACNE Certain Medication. Diet. Stress. (due to cortisol and Adrenaline production) Menstruation. Greasy Cosmetics. Types & Symptoms The symptoms mainly depend on the type of acne. The acne has different types while the whiteheads, blackheads or pustules are commonly called pimples Whiteheads (closed sebum plugged pores). Blackheads (open sebum plugged pores). Papules (Small red, tender bumps). Pimples (pustules), these are papules having pus at their tips. Nodules (Solid, painful, large lumps below the surface of the skin. Cystic lesions Painful, pus-filled lumps below the surface of the skin. Treatment & Prevention As far as the treatment is concern its majorly depends on the type of acne depend upon in which category the acne will categories mild, moderate or severe. The teenage acne required no such treatment if it falls in the mild category as it is the cause of hormonal changes cane subsides with the passage of time along with the lifestyle modifications. What to do in the teenage acne? Should keep your face clean, wash it water properly two times properly. Keep your facial accessories separate like towel or soap Drink plenty of water. Do not allow your body to fall in constipation Eat fruits that contain antioxidants like citrus fruits orange. Pomegranate etc. For girls use makeup that is water-based so that it cannot plug the pores. Must wash your make up before going to bed. Do not rub or squeeze the area that is already inflamed can cause condition worse. If this condition is on your back, chest or on shoulders then do wear loose clothes. Over the counter medication Benzoyl peroxide: Kills bacteria, slow down the sebum formation. Resorcinol: shatter the blackheads and whiteheads Salicylic Acid: Reduce Inflammation and Swelling. ( do not apply crushed aspirin) Retin A: unblock the pores Azelaic Acid: stop sebum production and reduce bacterial growth. Tea Tree oil: use it in diluted form on the affected area. For the save side start with lowest strengths can cause skin irritation on first use. Must visit the doctor when you have moderate to severe acne As the skin is a sensitive part do not use self-medication without the recommendation of your pharmacist and doctor. Point to Ponder: Keep that in your mind acne is a slow process to heal & it can leave scars because anything prevails for a longer time will leave its effects …….but don’t worry it will fade away with time just do not touch or scratch your pimples.
03 Tests for Diagnosing Prediabetes and Diabetes
According to WHO diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose which leads to the passage of time to damage to heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Diagnosing tests for prediabetes and diabetes is very important in this regard. I will be discussing these diagnosing tests in this article. The most common type of diabetes is type 2 which is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 1 is a chronic condition in which the body fails to produce sufficient amount of insulin. 422 million people Almost 422 million people worldwide have diabetes. Mostly low and middle-income countries have more diabetic patients. Diabetes is the leading cause of death in the world. Do I need a diagnostic test for diabetes? You should need a diagnostic test for prediabetes and diabetes if you are Overweight (Age over 45 years) Facing additional risk such as High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Family History of Diabetes Gestational Diabetes (Diabetes during pregnancy) Diagnostic Test Frequency A person with normal blood glucose but falls in the above risk factors should be tested every three years. Prediabetic should be tested for diabetes every one to two years. Diagnostic Test for Prediabetes and Diabetes There are three types of a diagnostic test which are commonly used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes. HbA1C (Glycosylated hemoglobin test) The Glycosylated hemoglobin or A1C test is major diagnostic prediabetes and diabetes. It measures your average blood glucose control for the past three months. This test is more convenient because no fasting is required. Range 5.7 percent to 6.4 = Prediabetes 6.5 percent or higher = Diabetes Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) A fasting plasma glucose test requirement includes fasting (nothing to eat or drink except water) for eight hours before the test. To conduct this test, the pathologist draws blood from the patient. Then the plasma (the fluid part of the blood) is combined with some chemical to determine the amount of glucose in the plasma, which is measured in mg/dL. The following below contains the FPG test’s blood glucose ranges for prediabetes and diabetes. 100-125 mg/dL = Prediabetes 126 mg/dL or more = Diabetes Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) This test calculates how good the body digest a standard amount of glucose. To perform this test, the pathologist will draw blood before and two hours after you drink a known amount of glucose drink. Then, your doctor can compare the before-and-after glucose levels contained in your plasma to see how well your body digests the sugar. These levels are measured in mg/dL. Below mentioned the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) ranges for prediabetes and diabetes. 140-199 mg/dL = Prediabetes 200 mg/dL or above = Diabetes Learn more about Diabetes.
Dengue Fever: An Easy Awareness Guide
Its symptoms majorly appear three to fourteen days after infection. Dengue virus is transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito known as Anopheles. In this article, I will discuss briefly dengue fever for the purpose of public awareness. Dengue Fever Serotypes Dengue fever virus (DENV) is an RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus. This fever majorly caused by four genetically related but antigenically distinct dengue virus (DENV) serotypes DENV-1 DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4 While DENV-1 and DENV-2 are the major circulating serotypes. Epidemiology In 2018, there were 23 deaths due to dengue reported in Pakistan. During 2018, all federal entities in the country reported cases, with incidence rates ranging from 8.7 to 199.4 cases per 100,000 population (in Portuguesa and Delta Amacuro, respectively) During 2018 total of 464 suspected cases of Diphtheria were reported. Last week 16 new cases were reported. Dengue Surveillance: In 2018 total of 3204 Dengue cases were reported, from Sindh (2088) Balochistan (69), Punjab (539), KPK (332) and Tribal Districts KP (175), AJK (1). Pathophysiology The incubation period for dengue infection is 4-7 days (range 3-14).1 It may be asymptomatic or may result in a spectrum of illness ranging from undifferentiated mild febrile illness to severe disease, with or without plasma leakage and organ impairment. Symptomatic dengue infection is a systemic and dynamic disease with clinical, hematological and serological profiles changing from day today. These changes accelerate within hours or even minutes during the critical phase, particularly in those with plasma leakage. Disease Monitoring Tests White cell count (WCC) and Platelet count In the early febrile phase, WCC and platelet count are usually normal but will decrease rapidly as the disease progresses. The decrease in WCC is accompanied by platelet reduction. There is no correlation between disease severity and platelet count level III and it is not predictive of bleeding. In the recovery phase, the WCC normalize followed by platelet. Haematocrit (HCT) A rising HCT is a marker of plasma leakage in dengue infection. The median values of normal HCT level among Malaysian populations are male • < 60 years – 46% male > 60 years – 42%• female (all age groups) – 40% • Other important blood tests in disease monitoring are Liver Function Test (LFT), Renal profile (RP), coagulation profile, lactate, and blood gases. Special tests such as Troponin and Creatine Kinase (CK) should be discussed with the Specialists before performing. Major Diagnostic Tests: Rapid Combo Test This test can detect the presence of the virus as well as antibodies. It can be read within 15 – 20 minutes. If read late then it may false-positive results. In order to reduce the probability of false-positive test Dengue Antigen and Serology tests performed by ELISA. These are the most common test performed for dengue fever. Non -structural Protein (NS 1 Antigen) NS1 is basically a glycoprotein. The secretion of the NS1 protein is a hallmark of flavivirus infecting mammalian cells. It is found in the dengue fever test as well as Yellow fever and West Nile fever infection. The rate of detection is much better primary as compared to the secondary phase. As NS1 the sensitivity reduces after 4 – 5 days and almost undetectable after the recovery phase. Dengue IgM test It is the most widely used ELISA serological test. The antibody concentration is considerably higher in primary infection as compared to the secondary one. As soon as it is detectable its level rises almost two weeks after the symptoms appear. In 80%-99% of cases in primary dengue infection, it is detectable after 5 – 6 days. However, it is detected in 78% of patients in secondary patients almost at day seven due to the presence of IgG. So, 28% of secondary infections of dengue undiagnosed when only IgM assay performed. Dengue IgG test After seven of dengue fever infection, IgG was detectable 100% of the patient. It is recommended to repeat the IgG test even if the IgM test is still negative after seven days along with the negative result of IgG in the initial test sample. Management There is no specific treatment available for dengue Acetaminophen is used to alleviate pain and reduce fever. Avoid analgesics that can lead to elevate bleeding complications such as aspirin, ibuprofen & naproxen sodium. Avoid using antibiotics. If you have severe dengue fever, you may need: Supportive care in a hospital Intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement Blood pressure monitoring Transfusion to replace blood loss
Things to remember about Diabetes
Diabetes is a very common disease in which body blood sugar level exceeds the normal limit. There are many reasons which can lead you to diabetes. In this article, I will talk about some questions which come in mind about diabetes I am overweight, will I always develop type 2 diabetes? Many people around the world think that weight is the only risk that is involved in developing this disease. In reality, it is not true. There are many risk factors which are involved in this disease such as Daily physical activity Family history Age Ethnicity To your surprise, there are many people with this disease which have normal body weight. If I eat more sugar will it cause diabetes? Basically eating more sugar in the diet is directly linked with the amount of weight you gain. So, whenever the amount of sugar in diet is high it will lead towards an increase in body weight & ultimately your risk of getting type 2 diabetes is high. This disease is not caused by eating sugar but due to factors like genetics and lifestyle. Do sugary drinks cause diabetes? Research has also shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent this disease. Sugary drinks also raise blood glucose (also called blood sugar) and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving. Just one 12-ounce can of regular soda has about 150 calories and 40 grams of carbohydrate. This is the same amount of carbohydrate in 10 teaspoons of sugar! Sugar-sweetened beverages include beverages like: Regular soda Fruit punch Fruit drinks Energy drinks Sports drinks Sweet tea Other sugary drinks Is diabetes a serious disease? Diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined and having this disease nearly doubles your chance of having a heart attack. The good news is that managing your diabetes can reduce your risk for this disease complications. Do people with diabetes need to eat special foods? A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as healthy eating for anyone – low in saturated fat, moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and fruit. Foods that say they are healthier for people with this disease generally offer no special benefit. Most of them still raise blood glucose levels, are more expensive, and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols. If you have diabetes, do you have to only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes, and pasta? Starchy foods can be part of a healthy meal plan, but portion size is key. Bread, cereals, pasta, rice (whole grain options are better), and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas, and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. How much carbohydrate can a person with diabetes eat? The amount of carbohydrate you need will vary based on many factors. You and your health care team can figure out the right amount for you. Once you know how many carbs to eat, choose your food and portion sizes to match. Can people with diabetes eat sweets or chocolate? If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with this disease. They are no more “off-limits” to people with this disease than they are to people without this disease. The key to sweets is to have a very small portion and save them for special occasions so you focus your meal on more healthful foods. Can you catch this disease from someone else? No. Although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes and others don’t, we know this disease is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in this disease, particularly type 2 diabetes. Are people with diabetes more likely to get colds and other illnesses? You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you have diabetes. People with this disease are advised to get flu shots. This is because any illness can make this disease more difficult to control, and people with this disease who get the flu are more likely than others to go on to develop serious complications. If you have type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin, does it mean you’re failing to take care of this disease? Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one. For most people, type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with this disease can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with a combination of meal planning, physical activity, and taking oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually, oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range. The fruit is a healthy food, so is it ok to eat as much of it as you want? Because fruits contain carbohydrates, they do raise blood glucose and that needs to be taken into consideration when meal planning. Still, the fruit is a healthy food containing fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals, so talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency, and types of fruits you should eat.
09 Ways to Avoid Motion Sickness
Motion Sickness Motion sickness is a physiological condition that is sometimes referred to as motion by sea, car, train & air. Usually, motion sickness occurs on ships, submarines, aircraft, in automobiles, trains, amusement park rides, simulators, in spacecraft, and with the use of virtual reality devices. Motion sickness is caused by unbalancing or disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by continuous motion. Anybody can suffer from motion sickness, but variation in sensitivity to motion is the only way that varies among people. Motion sickness usually affects children (ages ranging from 02 to 12 years old), women with pregnancy, and people who have a history of migraines. Symptoms Symptoms of this condition include: Nausea Vomiting Dizziness Headache Decrease appetite Excess salivation Sweating 09 Tips to Avoid Motion Sickness Although it may not be possible to avoid all incident of this physiological condition, the following tips can aid you to avoid or reduce the rigorousness of this problem: Tip 01 Take care of eating foods, soft drinks, and alcohol before and during travel. Do not consume too much alcohol and foods or liquids that “do not suit your stomach” or tends to make you feel abnormally full. Foods containing high fat & spice can aggravate this problem in some people. Tip 02 Do not eat food which contains strong odor or aroma it may also help you to avoid nausea. Tip 03 Choose a seat where you think there will be lesser motion. Always take seat in the middle of an airplane which is the calmest area of an airplane. If you are traveling in a ship, choose the lowest middle of the ship as it is the calmest area of a ship as compared with the upper side. Tip 04 Avoid sitting against the direction of your travel. Tip 05 Always try to sit in the front seat of a car. Tip 06 Avoid reading while you are traveling if you have a history of this problem. Tip 07 Always fasten your seat belts while traveling by car, plane or boat as it helps in avoiding excessive body movement. Tip 08 Do not think of motion sickness while traveling. Change your seat from a person experiencing it because hearing or seeing others with this problem can make you feel the same by yourself. Tip 09 Over the counter, medicines to avoid this problem can be used before traveling. These medicines include antiemetics (Promethazine) & antihistamine (loratadine). If you are planning for a longer trip always consult your doctor before traveling.
Antibiotic Resistance: An Overview
Introduction Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microbe to resist the antibiotic. The term Antibiotic resistance is very common these days. In this article I will give you an overview of Antibiotic resistance. Infections are very common in our daily life and responsible for a large number of diseases. Disease-causing microorganisms are termed as “Pathogens”. Most of the diseases are caused by bacteria. To treat such diseases antibiotics are used. After the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century, these have always been considered as one of the wonder discoveries. Over a period of time, various classes of antibiotics were introduced in the market. Besides that bacteria become resistant to certain antibiotics over the period of time. This resistance is termed as Antibiotic resistance. There are several factors that are responsible for antibiotic resistance. History of antibiotics The first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered in 1929 by Sir Alexander Fleming. He observed inhibition of staphylococci on an agar plate contaminated by a Penicillium mold. Fleming was searching for potential antibacterial compounds. He noticed that a patch of the mold Penicillium notatum had grown on a plate. The plate containing the bacterium Staphylococcus and that around the mold there was a zone where no Staphylococcus could grow. After more research, he was able to show that the culture broth of the mold prevented the growth of the Staphylococcus. This growth is prevented even though diluted up to 800 times. He named the active substance penicillin but was unable to isolate it. Several years later, in 1939, Ernst Chain and Howard Florey developed a way to isolate penicillin. It was used to treat bacterial infections during the Second World War. The new drug came into clinical usage in 1946 and made a huge impact on public health. While Fleming was working on penicillin, Gerhard Domagk, a German doctor, announced the discovery of a synthetic molecule with antibacterial properties. He named the compound Prontosil, and it became the first of a long series of synthetic antibiotics called sulfonamides or sulfa drugs. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, new antibiotics were introduced. These include streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. The age of antibiotic chemotherapy came into full being. Antibiotic Resistance Antibiotics are drugs used for treating infections caused by bacteria. Also known as antimicrobial drugs, antibiotics have saved countless lives. Misuse and overuse of these drugs, however, have contributed to a phenomenon known as antibiotic resistance. This resistance develops when potentially harmful bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics. According to CDC Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections. Multiple drug-resistant organisms Multiple drug-resistant organisms are resistant to treatment with several, often unrelated, antimicrobial agents as described above in Shigella. Some of the most important types of multiple drug-resistant organisms that have been encountered include: MRSA – methicillin/oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus VRE – vancomycin-resistant enterococci ESBLs – extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (which are resistant to cephalosporins and monobactams) PRSP – penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae MRSA and VRE are the most commonly encountered multiple drug-resistant organisms in patients residing in non-hospital healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. PRSP is more common in patients seeking care in outpatient settings such as physicians’ offices and clinics, especially in pediatric settings. ESBLs are most often encountered in the hospital (intensive care) setting, but MRSA and VRE also have significant nosocomial ecology. Antibiotic Method of resistance Chloramphenicol reduced uptake into cell Tetracycline active efflux from the cell β-lactams, Erythromycin, Lincomycin eliminates or reduces binding of antibiotic to cell target β-lactams, Aminoglycosides, Chloramphenicol enzymatic cleavage or modification to inactivate antibiotic molecule Sulfonamides, Trimethoprim metabolic bypass of inhibited reaction Causes Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in some way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other agents designed to cure or prevent infections. The bacteria survive and continue to multiply causing more harm. Bacteria can do this through several mechanisms. Some bacteria develop the ability to neutralize the antibiotic before it can do harm, others can rapidly pump the antibiotic out, and still, others can change the antibiotic attack site so it cannot affect the function of the bacteria. In addition, bacteria that were at one time susceptible to an antibiotic can acquire resistance through mutation of their genetic material or by acquiring pieces of DNA that code for the resistance properties from other bacteria. The DNA that codes for resistance can be grouped in a single easily transferable package. This means that bacteria can become resistant to many antimicrobial agents because of the transfer of one piece of DNA. Prevention Antibiotics designed for bacterial infections are not useful for viral infections such as a cold, cough, or the flu. Some useful tips to remember are: Talk with your healthcare provider about antibiotic resistance: Ask whether an antibiotic is likely to be beneficial for your illness Ask what else you can do to feel better sooner Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or the flu. Do not save some of your antibiotics for the next time you get sick. Discard any leftover medication once you have completed your prescribed course of treatment. Take an antibiotic exactly as the healthcare provider tells you. Do not skip doses. Complete the prescribed course of treatment even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect. Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for your illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply. If your healthcare provider determines that you do not have a bacterial infection, ask about ways to help relieve your symptoms. Do not pressure your provider to prescribe an antibiotic. Additional Precautions Additional precautions are used when caring for patients who are known or