PharmEasy Blog

Better Heart Health- Things To Remember

Heart health is something that every individual should focus on, irrespective of his/her age or lifestyle preferences. After all, a healthier heart is a prerequisite for not just long life but also the overall quality of life in turn. There are several things that you can do in order to enhance your heart health. 

Some of them include the following: 

Heart disease risk falls significantly when people exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet and healthy weight, control their blood pressure and get good quality sleep.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Combine these tips with a daily workout routine in order to keep your heart healthy for the long haul. A few lifestyle changes are always in order for you to live a long, happy and healthy life. 

Also Read: Exercise to Increase Stamina: Science-Backed Strategies to Boost Your Endurance

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

Benefits Of Eating Vitamins Regularly

Good health and nutrition are imperative for leading a healthy life. In the current scenario where people follow hectic and strenuous lifestyles, it is even more important to watch what you eat. People may be unaware of the underlying vitamin deficiencies in their bodies as symptoms may show later on. Vitamins can be godsends in this regard, offering multifarious benefits regularly. 

Here are some of the biggest advantages of consuming vitamins regularly: 

I recommend a daily regulated consumption of Vitamin A for strong immunity as this fat-soluble vitamin is essential to the immune system. It is believed to help combat sickness and infections, maintain skin health, encourage development and reproduction, and help against poor eyesight.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Researchers believe that Vitamin K is crucial for normal human body processes. Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN), a deadly bleeding illness, may be avoided in newborns with the regular consumption of vitamin K. Vitamin K may also aid in proper blood clotting and wound healing.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Hence, for those deficient in vitamins, taking vitamins daily will help considerably in terms of giving you multifarious health benefits. 

Also Read: What is Biotin? Your Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Its Role and Benefits

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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Eating Healthy During The Festive Season

The festive season is around the corner and we are gearing up to celebrate with our near and dear ones. Along with celebrations, most festive periods come with unhealthy binge eating, leading to fitness regimes going for a toss and several health issues settling in. So the million-dollar question is; How do you eat healthy during the festive season? 

Let’s take a look at some answers: 

You can have a banana or curd rice if you are going to a party or event. You can also have little snacks like sandwiches, salads, and yoghurt with nuts. Consuming warm water before bedtime or having a mixture of fennel, ajwain and ginger in tea will help boost digestion.

Also Read: How to Stop Binge Eating: Research-Based Strategies for Overcoming This Habit

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

What Women Often Ignore – 5 Tips To Ensure You’re In The Pink Of Health

Women, more often than not, are juggling numerous responsibilities in and outside the home and often put their needs last leading to an increased risk of developing health-related issues that may remain undetected too.

As we’ve learnt from the pandemic, mental health and emotional well-being are critical to maintaining overall health. There is a noted rise in reported cases of depression, anxiety and chronic stress among women which often remains unnoticed.  

What contributes to health problems in women?

Health problems can arise due to various reasons but timely diagnosis and preventive care can often reduce the severity of illness and contribute to better disease management in the long run. Women often play the role of providers taking on a larger share of household responsibilities and elderly care causing them to neglect their own health issues. These may include heart diseases, diabetes, PCOD, stress, depression and anxiety which are not diagnosed in a timely manner many times.

Stress is a major contributor. Remember, you can learn to manage your stress better by doing light yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises.

Women aged more than 40 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so as it’ll help in early diagnosis and can treat 90% of all breast cancer.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Tips to ensure optimal health for women

Here are some tips to ensure optimal health for women.

Make time for a moderate-intensity exercise routine

Exercise regularly for at least 15-20 minutes every day. Exercising helps keep your heart health in check, is a great stress buster and promotes good quality sleep. It is also known to improve your mood as it releases endorphins, a hormone known to make you feel good.

Appropriate is very essential for women. Well-nourished women are better able to provide for themselves, their children, and their families. Well-nourished mothers are more likely to have infants with healthy birth weights, and such children are less likely to ever suffer from malnutrition.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Avoid long breaks between meals

Breakfast gives you the energy to power through your day. After 7-8 hours of fasting while you sleep, your body needs enough nutrition to carry out your day-to-day activities. And it is ever so crucial for women as they are always on their toes! 

Get good quality sleep

Caught up with social obligations and household responsibilities, women ignore the signs of fatigue due to lack of sleep. 

At least 7-9 hours of good quality sleep is crucial for optimum health. While it keeps you energized and refreshed, it also helps improve your mood and prevents the risk of diabetes and heart-related problems. Therefore, establishing a good sleep routine should be a priority.

It’s important for women to include foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and iron in their diet to maintain bone health and prevent anemia and other nutritional deficiencies.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Regular health checkups

Make sure you get your health checkup once or twice a year at a minimum. A health checkup can help with early diagnosis and put you on track for healthy disease management.

Lupin’s Shakti Program raises awareness of cardiovascular diseases in women and encourages women to get tested for cardiovascular diseases regularly to ensure early detection and disease management if required.

Osteoporosis, urinary problems, heart disease, depression, weight gain and hot flushes are just a few issues menopausal women face. Regular check-ups with your gynaecologist would go a long way in helping you prepare for what’s to come.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Our diets define us – cutting down on sugar intake, refined carbs and junk food will go a long way in helping you maintain optimal health. Instead, opt for a diet rich in lean proteins, healthy fats and a moderate amount of carbs and fibre.  

Women who are trying to conceive are recommended to include foods rich in folic acid. On the other hand, menopausal women are advised to include a Calcium and Vitamin D-rich diet to keep their bone health in check.

Also Read: Benefits of CoQ10 for Women: Insights from Scientific Research

Takeaway

Lifestyle-induced women’s health risks could be easily prevented or controlled through healthy choices. Implementing these healthy choices early with an element of discipline can make a big difference! Remember, you deserve just as much as you give to others!

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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What Is Traditional Medicine? Here’s More On Why Traditional Medicines Are Gaining

Traditional medicines have been making headlines globally, with increasing acceptance of their effectiveness and potency in helping people live healthier lives. In a significant boost to traditional Indian medicine, the ground-breaking ceremony was recently performed for the path-breaking WHO (World Health Organisation) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) at Jamnagar in Gujarat. Traditional medicine in India has always been used for healing and various alternative treatments over the centuries. 

The centre marks an important part of the WHO traditional medicine strategy and its goals to deploy advances in traditional medicine for the betterment of global citizens. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and the Director-General at WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The GCTM will be a unique global centre for traditional medicines products globally. Ghebreyesus called it a global endeavour where the rest of the world will depend on India for its strategic traditional medicine leadership. 

He also talked about how traditional medicine products are doing well worldwide, while talking about how the centre will help several global regions understand how to use them as the first line of treatment. The centre, according to him, will focus on data, innovation and sustainability, while optimising traditional medicine usage. The core divisions here will include leadership and research, learning and evidence, sustainability and equity, analytics and data and technology and innovation. 

Jamnagar was selected for the GCTM owing to the establishment of the first global Ayurvedic University in the city over 50 years earlier. It is also home to a reputed Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda. 

 Ayurveda is not only about healing or treatment of disorders, but also about mental, social and environmental health while inculcating compassion, sympathy and productivity. Ayurveda is the knowledge of life and is rightly called the fifth Veda by some

Although it is believed that traditional medicines have no or minimal side effects and are comparatively cheaper, it is still challenging to rely completely on them as there are no huge trials or comparisons done with traditional medicines, inconsistency of descriptions of the treatment or product may be another challenge with their use.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

More about traditional medicines

There are many  types of traditional medicines  used globally. WHO estimates 80% of the global population using them, while 170 out of 194 members stated using till now. All the Governments of these nations have also sought WHO’s assistance in building up data and evidence of traditional medicinal practices and products.  

What is traditional medicine?

It is used to describe the entire skills, practices and knowledge used by various indigenous and other cultures throughout centuries for maintaining their health and well-being along with diagnosing, treating and combating physical and mental illnesses. It covers ancient methods like Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine along with acupuncture, contemporary medicines and herbal medicines. Traditional medicines have been shown to help people live healthier lives with their natural and beneficial ingredients. From multifarious health benefits like lower blood pressure, healthy weight levels and prevention of a host of other probable ailments to enhancing mood, happiness and energy levels, they have numerous advantages for users.  

Traditional medicines have also become a part of contemporary science. At least 40% of approved pharmaceuticals today use natural and organic substances, emphasising the need to conserve natural resources. Experts highlight how aspirin was inspired by traditional mixtures that used the willow tree’s bark. Even some aspects of cancer treatment in some cases of children have been based on the precious rosy periwinkle as per experts. Ancient medicinal texts from China were also studied before undertaking research initiatives (that ultimately won the Nobel Prize) centring on the use of  Artemisia annua  for malaria and fever.  

Traditional medicines are undeniably a crucial part of the ecosystem as more nations realise their importance and time-tested relevance. They are antidotes for better lives for a sizable chunk of the global population.  

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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Digital Health Resources For Patients: What’s Out There?

Technological advances have afforded us the luxury of experiencing connected devices, self-drive cars and smart coffee mugs but have also made it possible for us to easily track, manage and store our health-related data through various cutting-edge digital health innovations.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made us realise how imperative is the access to digital healthcare resources – resources that could help patients access essential healthcare services at the ease of their homes.  

Why are digital healthcare resources important?

Digital health resources could offer an efficient and convenient way for patients to address their health concerns presenting those with critical illnesses to take preventive action or seek medical advice at the right time from the comfort of their homes. 

Digitized information will also provide a faster and more efficient mechanism for obtaining a medical history in the years to come. Digital healthcare resources are likely to go a long way in helping improve doctor-patient relationships through trust and transparency when physical appointments may not be possible.

It helps overcome the roadblocks like consulting a superspecialist from a distant location. Now people living in remote areas can also tele-consult specialists and super specialists from other cities easily.  

What digital healthcare resources are available?

The advancement of technology in the digital health space is altering how people interact with doctors, caregivers and the rest of the healthcare ecosystem. While this space is ever-evolving, here are some of the most popular digital resources for patients.

Digital therapeutics & diagnostics

Digital therapeutics can improve patients’ health, increase compliance with medications and aid in providing better care. It uses advanced Artificial Intelligence to enhance patients’ lives by offering personalized care. Digital therapeutics can assist in the processes laid for the prevention, management and treatment of medical conditions or disorders. 

Digital diagnostics, on the other hand, helps patients book and review their lab tests from the comfort of their homes. Apart from being a huge time-saver and being cost-effective, digital diagnostic labs seemed safer during the pandemic when social distancing and the risk of infections were high. The reports are shared via email and directly to the patient’s phone via WhatsApp too allowing a great deal of accessibility and flexibility for patients. The best part is patients have the liberty to choose a particular lab from which they would like to take the test.

Telemedicine & E-consultation platforms

Telemedicine is a platform that allows patients to connect with doctors for virtual consultations. It could be in the form of a phone call or video call or text message. 

Telemedicine is a great way to seek medical assistance from anywhere. All you need is a computer or a phone. 

There are a lot of e-consultation platforms available in the market-for example, Docon, Practo, Lybrate, Tata Health, Mfine, etc. E-consultation is the best solution for chronic diseases, where patients need to consult and follow up with doctors regularly. 

Patient chatbots

Patient chatbots are another valuable resource for patients. With the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, chatbots provide quick answers to patients’ health-related queries. Patients can expect answers to common questions about symptoms, treatments and complications regarding their health conditions. 

One such chatbot is Anya, where you can get all your answers to common health-related queries across categories like Hypertension, Diabetes, Women’s Health, Respiratory ailments and Tuberculosis. Anya is multi-lingual and available on WhatsApp, Facebook and on the web. This chatbot has been widely accepted by HCPs and patients as a health partner providing medically verified information to improve patients’ health awareness.

But one must not consider this as a substitute for doctor’s advice or for self-diagnosis and treatment. Chatbots can only provide some basic information but do not aid in any kind of diagnosis and treatment.  

Takeaway

One of the most critical needs in today’s healthcare environment is the ability to deliver high-quality care to patients. Healthcare professionals face new challenges on how to meet the needs of their patients in the best and most efficient way. One way to do this is by utilizing digital tools to provide better health education. These technologies can also serve as a supplement to the traditional face-to-face doctor visit. Along with numerous benefits, one must also understand the limitations of teleconsultations as some conditions require in-person consultation with the doctor also make sure you opt for trusted platforms where doctor details, registration and qualification etc. are visible to you. Clearly, there are many reasons why we must leverage these digital healthcare resources and take control of our health. With the correct understanding of the scope and benefits, these resources can be used efficiently to make our lives easier.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

What Are The Safest Ways To Dispose of Old/Expired Medicines?

 

Our medicine shelves are usually cluttered with medications, some of which we have stopped taking and some of which we may have forgotten to take. These medicines are either no longer required or are well beyond their expiry date. Improper disposal of such drugs can lead to a safety issue for people as well as the environment. Accidental poisoning, overdose, abuse are just a few problems that could arise by unused or expired prescription drugs being thrown in the trash from where they could be easily retrieved and abused or sold illegally. These medicinal drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a doctor’s prescription or supervision. Safe removal of old/expired medicine protects you and others. Proper disposal of drugs can also prevent the negative and toxic effects on our environment that can take place if the drugs are not disposed of correctly.

Why is the Proper Disposal of medicines required?

Drugs in the Environment and Water Supply

Flushing down any substance including drugs results in them entering the water supply. Treating water before putting it back into the Public water supply does remove foreign substances, however, they do not process water to remove drugs. The substances become a part of both water and soil, thereby harming the environment. Our drinking and household water are part of this very environment. The drugs we take are usually processed and eliminated as by-products when we urinate and defecate, these eventually enter the waste stream, something we can’t do anything about. However, properly disposing of the original drugs will prevent them from leaching into the ecosystem.

Drugs Get into the Wrong Hands

Drug abuse is a well-recognized and rampant problem. By not disposing of drugs correctly, we increase the chances of them falling into wrong hands. It may be a teenager who steals them for his own use, a curious toddler who puts everything in her mouth or a trash picker combing through a dumpster.

Taking the Wrong Drugs or Expired Drugs

When drugs go out-of-date or aren’t well labeled, it’s easy for someone who is sick or confused or simply can’t see well, to swallow the wrong ones. These problems can be prevented by disposing of drugs as they expire or as they are no longer required. Labeling the drugs with large, colorful letters will also help the patients take the right drugs.

Storing your medicines

Storing your medicines properly ensures they work as they should as well as prevent poisoning accidents. Be sure to store your medications on a high shelf away from the reach and sight of toddlers and teenagers. Check the expiration date on your medicine. DO NOT KEEP old or unused medicines around.

When should you consider disposing of medicines?

Follow these guidelines to know when to dispose of a medicine.

  1. Your health condition has improved and your health care provider has advised you to discontinue using it.
  2. You have excess medicine than what you actually need.
  3. Your prescription has been changed by your health care provider but you still have some of the previous medicine left.
  4. You have medicines of someone who has expired or is no longer in a condition to use them.
  5. Your medicine is past its date of expiration.

The FDA recommends putting drugs in a plastic bag with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or coffee grounds, and throwing them in the garbage, which is then taken to a regulated disposal site. Most unused medicines should not be washed down the sink or toilet.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

How to Dispose of Medicines at Home?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests the following rules to dispose of medications:

Disposing medicines in the household trash:

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in pills, liquids, drops, patches, creams and inhalers can be thrown into the household trash.

Follow these steps:

  1. The drugs should be removed from their original containers and mixed with something undesirable, such as used coffee grounds or dirt, thus making the medicine less appealing to children and pets as well as unrecognizable to someone looking through the trash for drugs.
  2. This mixture should be then put into something that can be closed (are-sealable zipper storage bag, empty can or other containers) to prevent the drug from leaking or spilling out.
  3. Throw the container in the garbage.

Disposing of Inhaler Products

Inhalers and aerosol products could be dangerous if punctured or thrown into a fire or incinerator. These should be destroyed following local regulations and laws. You may contact your trash and recycling facility.

Flushing medicines:

 Flushing could potentially harm the environment but because some medicines could be especially harmful to others, they have specific directions to immediately flush them down the sink or toilet when they are no longer needed.

Disposing of Fentanyl Patches

Some prescription drugs like Fentanyl Patches deliver strong pain medicine through the skin. A lot of medicine remains, even after a patch is used. Such powerful narcotic pain medicines and other controlled substances should be flushed to reduce the danger of overdose from unintentional or illegal use.

Unopened, unused and out-of-date medicines should be returned to pharmacies or nearby hospitals for disposal, or they can then send to the manufacturers to dispose off as cytotoxic drug disposal protocols. The cardboard box that houses the blister packs can be recycled, as can any paper inserts.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Harmful effects of expired medicines

Expired medical products can be less effective or risky due to a change in their chemical composition or a decrease in strength. Certain expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics can fail to treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance. Once the expiration date of medicine has passed, there is no guarantee that the medicine will be safe and effective. If your medicine has expired, do not use it.

According to the DEA, many people do not know how to properly clean out their medicine cabinets.   Failing to safely dispose of old medications, especially opioids, all too often leads to dangerous drugs ending up in the wrong hands. The CDC reports that over 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms each year because they got hold of medicines while an adult was not looking.

Finally, expired medicines are also not just a risk to the person they were prescribed for and can injure children and pets if taken by mistake. For all these reasons, proper disposal of expired medication is essential.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

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Travel Sickness – Can I Prevent It?

Travel sickness, Motion sickness, seasickness, car sickness”¦ many names but the same outcome.

What Causes Travel sickness?

The most accepted theory is that of sensory conflict. It is a disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion. It’s when your vestibular system tells you one thing, and the other senses tell you another. This creates a conflict, leading the vestibular system to become confused and over-active. When this happens, the body tries to make things right, leading to Travel sickness.

Travel sickness can affect even the most regular travellers. Anyone can suffer from an episode of motion sickness; however, some people have a higher threshold than others. Travel sickness is known to commonly affect children between the ages of 2 to 12 years, pregnant women and those suffering from migraine. Research also shows travel sickness is linked to a genetic factor.    

Symptoms Of Travel Sickness

Travel sickness often triggers nausea and vomiting – the two most common conditions associated with it. However, travel sickness is not just limited to nausea and vomiting but may include sweating, pallor, headaches and drowsiness. In some cases, people feel dizzy and experience rapid breathing.

Tips To Beat Travel Sickness

While it may be impossible to prevent all cases of Travel sickness, here are a few tips that will help to lessen the intensity.  

For example, while travelling in the car, putting yourself behind the wheel makes you less prone to travel sickness as the brain uses its motor commands to control the car and can predict the motion. However, if you ride as a passenger, try sitting on the front seat and looking at the horizon, which confers a sense of greater control than riding in the back. If you get stuck in the back seat, try getting involved in conversation and distraction to alleviate the anxiety of not being in control of the situation. If possible, open a vent or a source of fresh air and avoid reading.

Curb the consumption of food, drinks and alcohol before and during your travel. Avoid foods that make you feel unusually full or have strong odours, that are heavy, spicy, or fat-rich as these may worsen symptoms of nausea or travel sickness in some people.  

Try choosing a seat where you will experience the least motion. For example, the middle of an aeroplane over the wing or in the lower level cabins near the centre of a ship. Distance yourself from others who may be suffering from motion sickness. Hearing them talk about motion sickness or seeing others become ill can possibly make you feel ill yourself. Face the direction of your travel.

For some people, lying down relieves their symptoms, for some others standing up works best. Depending on your type of travel, experiment with what works best for you. If travelling in a vehicle, leaning your head against the headrest can reduce the head movements.  

Talk yourself out of travel sickness. Use affirmative sentences and learn breathing techniques to help achieve this.  

Along with the ones mentioned in the blog , deep breathing and not using AC will help in reducing the symptoms of motion sickness

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Some studies support the use of ginger as having a preventive effect on Travel sickness. Peppermint tea is known to reduce nausea. Consider sipping on some tea before your travel or store it in a flask so you could use it during your travel.  

If the above self-care measures don’t work, the other options are medications at your local drug store or through a doctor’s prescription. Try taking OTC antihistamine drugs. However, it’s not just what you take but when you take that’s important. These medicines are useful when taken correctly which means 30 mins to an hour before you start your travel so that it has a chance to work and get absorbed in your system. It should be noted that antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness. Consult your doctor before consuming any medication.  

For children feeling motion sickness, offer sips of water and very light snacks if required while travelling. Avoid milk or milk-based food preparations for at least one hour before the travel to minimise chances of feeling motion sick.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Also Read: How to Make Yourself Throw Up: Necessary Techniques and Precautions

If you are on a cruise, move towards the bow and don’t stand near the stern. It helps in disengaging your inner ear from your visual stimulus. Try sitting in the front seat instead of the rear seat. It is said that being seated in the front helps in relieving symptoms of motion sickness.  

Keeping your eyes fixed on a stationary item placed at a distance is another technique that helps in disconnecting your visual sense from your inner ear that causes the sickness.  

Prevent your mind from constantly thinking about how sick you feel. Instead, distract yourself by focusing on your favourite music or talk about things that bring comfort to you. Motion sickness is highly associated with psychological reasons and doing things that let you relax can help with your nausea.  

Motion sickness can cause difficulty in texting or grasping visual elements that are on your screen. Constantly being on your phone can aggravate the symptoms instead of alleviating them.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

 

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How To Take Care Of My Hair & Skin During Holi?

Holi is unequivocally the most colourful, vibrant and cheerful festival not just in India but around the globe. Traditionally Holi was celebrated with dry gulal and buckets of water. Unfortunately, today it comes with splashes of synthetic pigments, the after-effects of which not only causes discomfort to our skin, hair, eyes but also can be hazardous to our health. Hence, being a little precautious goes a long way. Along with all the Holi party fun, it’s also important to care for your skin during the celebration. So, before you step out for Holi this year, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Pre Holi Skin & Hair Care Tips:

Oil is your best friend. Apply oil on your face and the exposed parts of the skin or areas of your body that would come in contact with the colour. You can use coconut oil or almond oil, which will help protect your skin from colours. A day before Holi, apply body oil all over your body and massage it into the skin. This not only hydrates your skin but also ensures that less colour is absorbed the next day. In addition, you can also oil your hair to form a protective shield on the strands. Apply oil generously all over the body. Do not forget the smaller areas like the earlobes, nail crevices and skin behind the ears.

Don’ts:

Try to avoid shampooing your hair right after playing Holi. Instead, apply a hair mask and leave it for 45 minutes before shampooing. This will help remove the colours and reduce any damage. Hair oil like almond or coconut is helpful to apply before going out to play.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Do’s:

Use of Natural Colours and PROPER GENTLE TIMELY CLEANSING is very important. Post cleansing adequate moisturization is very important as well.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Post Holi Skin & Hair Care Tips:

It’s best to remove colours when it’s wet, as it is difficult to remove them once they’ve dried. Take a shower as soon as you reach home.  Use a gentle face wash and body wash and gently scrub the skin with a loofah to get rid of the color. Use a clarifying shampoo to rinse color from hair. After the shampoo, apply conditioner along with the length of hair. Leave it on for a couple of minutes and rinse with cold water. Use colour protect conditioner for color-treated hair. While removing colors, don’t rub your skin vigorously, this can cause more damage to your skin. Instead, use oil to remove colors gently. After you shower, don’t forget to apply nourishing body lotion and face moisturizer as the skin tends to become dry due to excess colour and sun exposure. If you find your skin breaking out mildly, apply Aloe-Vera gel or Lacto-Calamine lotion which have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the skin. Take an anti-allergy medicine, but if the rash doesn’t subside in a day, visit a dermatologist without further delay. Get a facial done only a week after, provided you don’t have any skin trouble or issues.

Protecting your skin and hair during Holi requires you to follow all the pre and post-care tips as well as the do’s and don’ts mentioned above. It’s always a good idea to use more water and flower petals and less colour. If you have to use colour, go organic or use natural colours like haldi, beetroot juice and organic gulal.

Have questions about Diabetes and Tuberculosis? Click here to ask Anya!

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

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Is It Advisable To Wear A Face Mask While Running Outdoors?

The rapid spike in the COVID-19 cases has made us more conscious about our health. People around the globe are taking precautionary steps to avoid themselves from getting infected from COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2). But those people who are eager to get back to fitness are sure to ask this most important question; shall I exercise with a face mask on?  

While social distancing and maintaining good health and hygiene is necessary; wearing a mask has been made compulsory in almost every public place. If you run outdoors, remember the importance of social distancing and avoiding others. It is essential to maintain at least 10 to 12 feet of separation during a run, because you’re breathing heavily as you work out. Runners’ “breath cloud” may contain more of the virus. (wearing a face mask protects us and others from droplet spread, even from asymptomatic spread).

Should I wear a Face Mask while running?  

You should wear a face mask when you’re running in an area where social distancing is hard to maintain. If you’re going to be passing people in and out of crowds, you’ll want to wear a mask. Keep in mind that wearing a face mask is not a substitute for physical distancing.

But if you’re running alone in your neighbourhood where you occasionally see another runner or a walker, it’s likely that you don’t need to wear a face covering. Instead, be mindful about crossing the street to avoid getting too close or give the other person at least six feet while passing.

SUBHEADING-03

How will the face mask affect my run?

Running or jogging with a face mask is going to decrease your airflow, making it a little harder to breathe. It won’t  decrease your oxygen or retain carbon dioxide, but it will probably impact your performance or pace.

This means that you might have a harder time catching your breath if you’re running with a face mask. You might also feel more fatigued quicker than you normally would, even if you’re in pretty good shape, you might need to modify the intensity of your run.

It is most important that you should monitor how you feel or if you’re having any unusual symptoms.  

It is safe to wear a mask while exercising for most people. However, if you have a chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mesothelioma, or pulmonary hypertension, talk with your doctor before attempting any physical activity while wearing a mask.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Be on the lookout for:  

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If you’re experiencing any difficulty, find a safe place off the trail or out of the way to distance yourself from others and remove your mask. Sit down or walk until you catch your breath and feel better. If you continue to experience any difficulty, call your doctor immediately.

Criteria to look for in a running mask

Running in a mask presents you with an unpleasant sensation of a damp piece of fabric rubbing against your face. A sweaty or wet mask is going to be less effective at filtering, breathing and more uncomfortable.

Look for workout masks that are made with a moisture-wicking fabric but be mindful that it’s not too thick or restrictive. Most running specific face masks come as a traditional shaped mask with strings or elastic that goes around your head.

It’s also important to keep your running mask clean and remember when wearing a mask, always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before removing it. A properly fitted mask will reduce the need for you to fuss around with it and touch your face.

When wearing a mask, remember the following points:

  1. Do not touch the mask.
  2. Dispose of single-use masks after use and wash reusable masks regularly.
  3. Ensure your mask is well fitted, so exhaled air does not reach your eyes.

The CDC recommends not wearing a mask during high intensity activities like running if it causes breathing difficulty. Also it noted that as aerobic activity increases, wearing a mask while running can affect airflow and may increase your perceived workload and heart rate.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

If you are concerned about your health and do not want to work-out with mask outdoors, then here are a few tips that you must keep in mind –

1. Underlying health condition: If you are suffering from some underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, it is highly not recommended to wear a mask during exercise.

2. Do not push your limit: Do not go overboard when exercising. If you start feeling weak or tired, then stop immediately.

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3. The next best thing is to simply listen to your body – If you experience light-headedness, dizziness, extreme shortness of breath or numbness, you need to sit down and take a break.

4. Pick times and routes that are less likely to be busy. Try running earlier in the morning or during your lunch break to avoid the crowds. Also, try to avoid running in a busy park or sidewalk. This will allow you more open space, a change of scenery and less frustration trying to dodge others.

5. Don’t run directly behind anyone: Whether you are running with a mask on or off, it is best to avoid running directly behind anyone even if you are more than 6 feet away. Since you will be running into the person’s slipstream it is more likely for you to come into contact with their exhaled air and droplets. For those practising in a group, it is recommended that everyone in the group wears a mask and maintains enough distance from each other.  

Conclusion:  

To conclude, it is better to indulge in low-intensity exercises such as walking, brisk walking or slow jogging as it will put less strain on their breathing. So, keep following the regular guidelines & stay safe.  

Obviously, it is better for you and everyone around you if more people are vaccinated. Vaccinations lower your risk of severe symptoms, hospitalisation and death. They may help to cut down on the spread of Covid-19 and it is our only hope for getting out of this pandemic finally. Get vaccinated as soon as you can if you are eligible.  

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