Category: Health

This day of November 17, is celebrated to raise awareness about epilepsy disease. In India, Epilepsy Foundation marked it as ‘National Epilepsy Day’. About 10 million people in India suffer from epileptic seizures.

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that leads to abnormal brain function, leading to abnormal behaviour, loss of sensation, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Anyone can develop epilepsy. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages.

How it is celebrated?

It is known that on this day, numerous seminars, debates, stage shows, etc. are organized to educate the people about epilepsy and its treatment methods. On this day various hospitals provide free treatment and arrange counselling camps for the patients. But this year is a bit different. Although hospitals continue to provide free treatment. However, as rallies are banned during the Corona period, all seminars, debates and other events are being organized with the help of electronic media.

What WHO states over EPILEPSY:

The WHO talks about epilepsy as the most common chronic brain disease and affects people of all ages. There are more than 500 million people worldwide with epilepsy, of which about 80% live in low- and middle-income countries. Although 70% of people with epilepsy can be cured if properly diagnosed and treated, in low-income countries about three-quarters of people with epilepsy do not get the treatment they need and in some countries it reaches 90%.  In many countries like this, many health professionals do not have training in epilepsy detection, diagnosis and treatment. In most resource-poor countries, anti-seizure medications are not available.

Some symptoms of Epilepsy:

Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure. During a seizure, a person experiences abnormal behaviour, symptoms and sensations, sometimes including loss of consciousness. There are few symptoms between seizures. 

• Focal/Partial seizures: This includes A simple partial seizure that doesn’t involve loss of consciousness and complex partial seizures that involve loss of awareness or consciousness.
• Generalized seizures: This involves the whole brain and have six types: 
  1.  Absence seizures, which used to be called “Petit Mal seizures,” cause of empty vision.
  2. Tonic seizures cause muscle stiffness.
  3. Atonic seizures can cause the muscles to lose control and suddenly bring you down.
  4. Clonic seizures repeated, shaking movements of muscles of the face, neck, and arms.
  5. Myoclonic seizures cause the arms and legs to twist spontaneously and quickly.
  6. Tonic-clonic seizures used to be called “grand mal seizures.”

Tulsi not only gives you health benefits, but also enhances your beauty. Tulsi contains anti-bacterial elements that do not allow the wound to ripen. Tulsi is very beneficial in skin diseases. With its use, acne and pimples disappear and the face becomes clean. By using Tulsi daily, you can get rid of many diseases without medication.

Let us tell you, what problems you can diagnose with Tulsi :-

• Tulsi is an antioxidant. Drinking Tulsi extracts in water increases immunity. Tulsi reduces stress. Tulsi contains phytochemicals, which reduce your cortisol levels. This does not create your stress-producing hormones and you can remain relaxed.
• Blood pressure control — If you or someone in your family is a diabetic patient, then you should take Tulsi extracts. Let me tell you that, it controls the level of glucose from your body. Not only this, Tulsi extracts contain lots of vitamins and minerals. With their help, you can increase the secretion of insulin in the body.
• If you want to lose weight, take Tulsi. Tulsi extract reduces cholesterol. It also reduces your weight. Tulsi extracts reduce the amount of cortisol, stress-causing hormones, which automatically reduces weight.
• Tulsi relieves gas problem- If you have any problem related to the digestion of food, stomach gas or stomach ache, then you must use Tulsi. It is very beneficial for almost all stomach problems.
• If you have a complaint of arthritis or sudden swelling in any part of the body, then you should take Tulsi. It contains beta-caryophyllene. This prevents the swelling problems. Not only this, Tulsi extract is anti-inflammatory. You can also apply it with food.

Horse gram also called as kulith is a pulse cultivated in the Southeast Asian subcontinent and Africa. True to its name this pulse is fed to racehorses to increase their stamina, energy, and weight. It is extremely nutritious and can be used to make chutneys, soups, rasam, gravies, tikkis and many more food items! Read on to know the health benefits of this wonderful pulse…

Health benefits of horse gram:

1. High in fiber: Horse gram is a good source of fiber. A 100 grams serving gives you about 5 grams of fiber. Fiber helps in providing satiety, reduces blood pressure and helps in controlling glucose levels. Fiber also helps in reducing occurrences of diarrhoea and loose motions. Satiety provided by fiber also helps in weight loss.
2. Good protein source: Horse gram is a good source of protein. Protein is required for maintenance of our body especially our muscles. It also helps in providing satiety as well as improving our immunity.
3. Reduction of skin rashes and boils: Horse gram can be used as a face pack to reduce skin boils/ rashes. It increases skin glow and also removes dirt and dust from our skin thus exfoliating it as it is high in antioxidants.
4. Good source of Iron: Horse gram is a good source of Iron. This will help in reducing iron deficiency anaemia. Iron is required for cognition, oxygenation of blood, immunity, healthy hair, skin and nails.
5. Contains calcium: 287mgs of calcium is found in 100gms of horse gram. Calcium is required for strengthening bones and teeth, neuronal signaling, blood clotting and reducing blood pressure.
6. Digestion issues: Horse gram helps in relieving issues related to digestion. Incidences of acidity, constipation, acid reflux are all reduced due to consumption of this wonder pulse.
7. Kidney stones: Horse gram is a good source of polyphenols, antioxidants and phytochemicals which are effective against stone formation. Recurrence of Calcium oxalate stones is reduced and so is the formation, aggregation and crystallization of stones. It also holds effective diuretic properties thus helping in flushing out stones from our body.
8. Menstrual disorders: Horsegram is effective against Leucorrhea. It also helps in relieving pain, irritation as well as can be effective against irregular menses too.

Other benefits include effectiveness against asthma, fever and colds, Ulcers, jaundice, etc. As we can see the benefits of this pulse are far more than we thought! So let us spread the word about this wonder pulse from today.

Osteoporosis is a bone-related disease that leads to a lack of bone density thus increasing your risk of fractures. World Osteoporosis Day is a campaign commemorated on October 20th to raise awareness regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. It is also remembered to raise awareness regarding the burden on the caregivers and the lost independence in patients suffering from the disease. Given below are the factors regarding symptoms, risk factors, and prevention of the disease.

Symptoms of osteoporosis:

1. Pain in the lower back area is prominent
2. Fractures that don’t heal easily.
3. Loss of height due to stooping
4. Low handgrip strength
5. Severe back/neck pain

Risk factors:

1. Age: Being older increases the risk of developing the disease.
2. Poor lifestyle habits: Poor lifestyle habits like excessive smoking or alcoholism increases the risk.
3. Women above age of 45: Menopause leads to low levels of estrogen, thus increasing the risk of this disease.
4. Less testosterone in men: Testosterone increases bone density; hence lack of testosterone is an increased risk factor.
5. Family history: Family history of osteoporosis or bone related diseases increases the risk.
6. Certain medications: Medications consumed for hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, kidney diseases and diabetes can increase the risk.

Prevention:

1. Exercise: Exercising regularly helps in the maintenance of bones and muscles and there is the strengthening of the skeletomuscular system.
2. Appropriate diet: Foods rich in calcium like milk, cheese, green leafy vegetables, fishes (consumed with bones) are good sources. Vitamin D also plays a major role in strengthening bones. Sources include sunlight, Liver, eggs, mushrooms (exposed to sunlight), salmon, etc.
3. Get yourself tested: It is important to get yourself tested once in a while to check your bone mineral density and to take the necessary steps required if at all you have low levels.
4. Give up certain habits: It is important to exercise, avoid smoking as it is shown to reduce bone mineral density. Excessive alcoholism is also detrimental.
5. Appropriate footwear: Use low-heeled/ flat-soled shoes to prevent falls.
6. Take care of where you walk: Avoid walking in smooth marble/ highly polished tiles as they are very slippery and prone to falls.
7. Well-lit places: Keep all rooms and hallways well lit.
8. Use railings/bars: Use handrails if the floor is particularly slippery or pathways are narrow (eg: staircase)

Strokes occur when there is blockage of blood vessels or narrowing of blood vessels which leads to a lack of oxygen. The blockage of blood vessels can lead to mini-strokes also called Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA). Transient ischemic strokes might last from a few hours to minutes. According to Peter Rothwell, professor at the University of Oxford, it was seen that almost half of the most recent TIAs and about a third of the first TIAs occurred in the two weeks before the presenting stroke. These strokes must be considered as a warning sign and it is important to consult a doctor before it’s too late.

Some of the warning signs that might be seen are:

1. Face drooping: One side of the face droops and there might also be numbness on that one side of the face.
2. Limbs weakness: Weakness or numbness on one side of the arms or legs is experienced.
3. Difficulty speaking: Inability to speak properly or slurring during speech is seen. It will be difficult to understand the speech of these people.
4. Difficulty in vision: The person will have difficulty seeing in either one or both of the eyes. Involuntary eye movements or losing vision in either left or right side of the visual field might be seen.
5. Difficulty in maintaining balance/coordination (gait disturbances): The person may experience difficulty in standing/walking/balancing oneself.
6. Dizziness: Reduced blood supply to the brain can lead to dizziness.
7. Headaches: Sudden headaches which may be severe without any cause.
8. Stiffness in muscles: Also called as hypertonia, there can be muscle paralysis experienced due to which the person might lose the ability to balance oneself.
9. Behavioural changes: The person may experience feelings of irritability, forgetfulness, anger and confusion. Memory loss is common.
10. Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing food might be experienced leading to increased risk of malnutrition, dehydration and reduced immunity due to poor nutrition.

If the above signs are seen, it is important to consult a doctor immediately.

Aloe vera has been known for its healing properties for at least 6,000 years. This plant has been known as the “plant of immortality” since ancient times. It is a dense, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. It has several uses that can apparently be adjuvant to health. Here are Some amazing benefits of aloe vera.

benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is rich in nutrients. 

It’s have been written that juice that extracts from the Aloe plant contains numerous nutrients and minerals. It is full of vitamins B, C, E, and folic acid. And aloe vera is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B-12, which is great news for vegetarians. It also consists of minerals like calcium, copper, chromium, sodium, selenium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, zinc. 

And thus Aloe Vera is important to keep your food and drink nutritious to fight most preventable diseases.

It has antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics.

Antioxidants are important for health. And Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. Aloe vera gel contains a powerful antioxidant known as polyphenols that, along with some other compounds, inhibits the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans. And thus comes the reason why Aloe can help to heal health problems.

Help to hydrate.

The ideal way to treat dehydration is to drink aloe juice. Our kidneys and liver are primarily responsible for detoxifying your blood and urinating. So, drink aloe juice instead of water to keep the organs hydrated and healthy.

A wonder for the skin.

As such, aloe vera is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins that can protect the skin. Important compounds of aloe vera have been shown to neutralize the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, repair your skin from existing UV damage, and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. So applying Aloe juice on the skin will work as wonder for the skin.

Magic gel for hair.

Aloe vera contains a proteolytic enzyme that repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. It works as a great conditioner and leaves our hair all smooth and shiny. Also promotes our hair growth, prevents itching of the scalp, reduces dandruff.

There are more benefits of Aloe vera like reducing constipation, lowering blood sugar levels, and many more. But white as black complements forever. So even this amazing plant has some side effects. That being said, oral use of aloe vera can cause stomach upset or diarrhea due to its laxative effects. There have been some reports of liver damage, including long-term aloe vera supplementation. So, please take the doctor’s advice before using aloe vera.