A heart attack can leave you with a traumatic experience along with strong mixed feelings of denial, anger, fear, anxiety or depression. These are normal reactions that can affect not only you but your family and co-workers too. This might not only make you concerned about your future but also raise questions about your present health condition – be it the lifestyle changes you would have to make or a new diet you would have to follow. You and your family would probably have a lot of questions.
Read More: Healthy diet for heart
All you need to do at this time is to be positive. It takes time to tackle depression after an attack, so be strong and talk to your family members and healthcare provider. Consider your mental health as a part of your overall treatment plan. Always control your stress levels.
Say ‘NO’ to Smoking. One of the major risk factors for heart disease is smoking. Smoking can elevate your chances of having heart disease and worsen your condition. It is very important to take care of your body, especially after an attack. If you are a smoker, it is advisable to quit smoking as it would reduce the risk of another heart attack by 50%.
Also Read: First Aid for Heart Attack
Also Read: Know The Difference Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest
Your heart attack is a warning that your present lifestyle must be modified to survive. Begin by starting a makeover journey for your heart by making your physical and mental health your priority.
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.
References
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/life-after-a-heart-attack
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/salt-reduction
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/shaking-the-salt-habit-to-lower-high-blood-pressure
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is the name used to describe a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema affects the air sacs in your lungs (alveoli), and chronic bronchitis affects your airways (bronchi). COPD is a condition where the airways become inflamed and the air sacs in your lungs are damaged. This causes your airways to become narrower, which makes it harder to breathe in and out. Therefore, people with COPD have breathing difficulties, and this can affect many aspects of your day-to-day life. Unfortunately, there is no cure for COPD, but there are lots of treatments available to help you to manage your condition, improve your symptoms and live an active life.
Unfortunately, you may not notice symptoms or tell-tale signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) until it is in the advanced stages. However, you need to pay attention to signs such as:
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should consult your doctor.
To treat COPD, just relying on treatment won’t work. There are lifestyle changes you need to adhere to as well. They are:
If you are addicted to smoking, then the single most important treatment for COPD is to quit it. Giving up will stop the ongoing damage to your airways caused by cigarette smoke. It is the most important treatment to reduce the chance of your condition becoming worse.
The main treatment of COPD involves inhalers which include a long or short-acting bronchodilator. If you experience sudden episodes of breathlessness or chest tightness your doctor might prescribe a short-acting bronchodilator inhaler. This relaxes the muscles in your airways to keep them as open as possible and relieves breathlessness. If your symptoms occur every day, you will be given a long-acting bronchodilator inhaler. This works in the same way as a short-acting inhaler, but the effects of the medication last for at least 12 hours. You may have to take inhaler medications daily for months as advised by the doctor which will help to keep your disease under control. Always adhere to the medication prescribed by your Doctor.
When you have a chronic breathing disease, it is important to eat well to prevent infections and keep your lungs healthy. It is also essential to make sure you are the correct weight.
When you have a lung condition, it is important to be as active as you can and to exercise safely. In some areas, you can attend pulmonary rehabilitation – a programme of exercise that helps with breathlessness by improving your muscle strength and lung fitness. This makes it easier for you to carry out everyday activities.
Make sure you get vaccinations against flu and pneumonia to avoid getting infections in winter.
If the level of oxygen in your blood is too low when you are resting, or if the level drops when you are active, you might need oxygen treatment. This is used to increase the amount of oxygen that flows into your lungs and bloodstream.
If an infection is making your breathing too difficult, you might need the support of a breathing machine. This is usually provided in the hospital. It can also be given at home if your condition is very severe. It also takes some of the efforts out of breathing because your chest muscles don’t have to work as hard, so it helps to ease the feeling of breathlessness.
If you are struggling emotionally, talking to your family or a health care professional can help. It is very important to stay active and sociable and to learn more about COPD.
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.
There are numerous ways in which we hurt our spine and our backs with our habits. It could be the way we lift heavy objects, our postures or even the way we sleep. All these habits put a lot of stress on the back muscles and cause many aches and pains in various places. Take a look at some of the bad habits for your back that can be the leading cause of many posture problems.
Many people, unconsciously, begin to sit in a hunched position. This is observed mostly in those who are in sedentary jobs. Done over a long period of time, it can change the spine’s curvature and cause damage to the discs between the vertebrae. Apart from causing a slipped disc, this habit can also lead to early arthritis. Get up from your desk every half an hour and stretch and flex the back and neck muscles.
Try lifestyle changes for back pain relief.
Eating too much junk food, high-calorie snacks and sweets can increase inflammation in the body and can lead to many back problems. They also cause weight gain which hurts the spine in the long run. Eat nutritious food that is high in fibre and essential vitamins and minerals. Make protein a regular part of your diet as it is good for the muscles. Try these anti-inflammatory foods.
Not having exercises as a part of your routine can make you vulnerable to many back problems. Those who have weak abdominal and back muscles end up on the wrong side of back pain. Swimming, walking and bicycling are great workouts for your back. Read more on the 10 best exercises for lower back pain.
Poor sitting posture and workplace ergonomics over time can damage spinal structures and contribute to recurrent episodes of neck or back pain, always pay keen attention to your chair and any symptoms that may arise due to a poor posture.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
The way you sleep has a telling effect on your back. Sleeping on the back is really bad for the back. If you already have lower back pain, this position would be increasing your problems. Also, make sure you have a firm mattress. It should provide support but must be soft enough to mould itself in the shape of your back.
Posture during sitting or standing is very important. One of the biggest posture mistakes people make while sitting involves slouching. This occurs when you lean backward too much while sitting in a chair. Sitting in this fashion increases tension on the muscles, which may lead to lower back pain.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Both calcium and vitamin D is needed to maintain a healthy spine. Having a deficiency of either of these can lead to major back problems. Incorporate dairy, leafy greens and nuts in your diet to meet your daily requirement of these two components.
Smoking constricts the blood supply to the vertebrae leading to back pain. Also, it leads to a weakened skeletal system due to hampering the body from metabolizing calcium in the body. This can cause osteoporosis. Those who smoke are thrice more likely to suffer from back pain. Read more on the health hazards of smoking cigarettes.
Those who regularly wear high heels spoil the curvature of their back. This puts pressure on the lower back and can cause serious damage to the spine. High heels also lead to an altered posture.
All these daily habits must be ditched if you care about the health of your back. Just making small changes daily will lead to visible improvement in posture and back health.
Also Read: Benefits of Walking Backwards: Unveiling the Science Backed Advantages
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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Smoking is one of the worst habits that ruin health. Tobacco is one of the leading causes of cancer. In fact, a third of all the cancers of the world are all due to smoking. Cigarettes and bidis are called as the cancer sticks. Nicotine that is present in cigarettes is the addictive substance that leads one to keep succumbing to the temptation of one just one more smoke. Quitting smoking leads to improvement in one’s health, wealth and general quality of life. Here are some tips to quit smoking.
Did you know?
Find a compelling reason to make you stick to your promise of quitting smoking. This could be to avoid your family, especially kids, from being passive smokers or enjoying better health or looking and feeling younger. Just find a strong enough reason to quit so you can don’t fall off the wagon.
Gather the ashtrays, lighters, and cartons of cigarettes and throw them in the bin. Not having smoking paraphernalia will help you quit smoking as the urge will pass off if there is nothing that supports it.
Open the windows, dust your home, change the sheets, clean your curtains and vacuum your carpets. Clean all that stuff to which the smell of tobacco emanates. Even the smell of stale smoke can trigger your cravings. Plus a fresh home will offer you an analogy of a fresh start.
Smoking is an addiction. If you have been a veteran of smoking, it is best to talk to your doctor about withdrawal symptoms and how to deal with them. There are many medications, support groups, and counseling centers that help smokers kick the habit.
Vigorous physical activity releases dopamine, the same chemical that smoking releases in the blood. Not only this, exercising will accelerate your body, to begin with healing itself from the ravages of smoking. Your lung capacity will increase, and your heart will thank you.
Also Read: Does Vaping Make Your Teeth Yellow: Exploring Dental Impact of Vaping
When one quits smoking, it leads to an appreciable increase in appetite. Find that one favorite snack that is both healthy and delicious and keep it with you at all times. Whenever you feel like smoking, gorge on it and wait for the craving to pass.
Drinking sufficient quantities of water will help your body regain its equilibrium quicker. Water quickens nicotine detoxification and also combats increased appetite.
Cigarettes taste better with certain foods like meats and refined carbs and drinks like alcohol, colas, tea, and coffee. On the contrary, cheese, vegetables, and fruits bring a terrible aftertaste to smoking. Eating more of these and less of all that compliments smoking will help you stay on a healthy path as a non-smoker.
A craving usually does not last more than five minutes. Keep a list of activities that you could do for those terrible five minutes when all you want is a cigarette. You could go for a short stroll, a quick shower, listen to music or read to get your mind off smoking.
The company you keep outside your home contributes immensely to your smoking habits. Non-smokers as friends are your best bet to stay away from social smoking. So when hanging out at the office or in parties, stick around the non-smokers. You will notice a visible dip in your cravings to take just one more puff.
Read More: Health Hazards of Smoking
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