PharmEasy Blog

Workout Or Sleep When Tired?

This is an internal struggle most of us had to endure. After a long day, you feel tired to your bones and yet it’s the time you have assigned to exercise. But you feel like you don’t have an iota of strength left in your body and you would like nothing better than to hit the sack. And then you would be berating yourself on missing out on your daily exercise routine. So, what ought you to do? Sleep or exercise?

Exercise when you are tired?

The advice to exercise when you are exhausted may seem counterproductive. But, if you are reasonably tired, and have tonnes of activities lined up ahead of you, it may actually be a very good idea. That is because a moderately intensive 20-minute exercise can give you an enormous energy boost. When you work out, it releases a flood of endorphins aka the happiness hormone. They are also painkillers and can relieve your aching muscles. Exercise gets your heart racing which pumps blood more efficiently all over the body, driving away weariness.Moreover, exercising when you are tired will help you sleep better at night!But, you need to be cautious. If you are exhausted, your muscles are sore. An intensive workout session may cause rips and tears in your muscles. It may even impair your immune system. So, go easy on yourself. Opt for full-body exercises that will ease the stress out of your muscles without taxing them too much. Be aware of your comfort level. What may work for your contemporaries might not be apt for you.

Here are a few exercises you can try out –

  1. A brisk jog around the park
  2. Dance workout such as Zumba
  3. Swimming
  4. Jump rope
  5. Cycling
  6. Elliptical trainer
  7. Stretching exercises
Many of these activities are fun and the very fact that they are not tedious will motivate you to exercise.Also Read: Vitamin D3 Deficiency Symptoms: A Comprehensive Guide to Signs and Management options

Or Should You Sleep?

There are some instances when sleeping is indeed the ideal course of action. If you had been going through a phase when you had been toiling away like a maniac and sleeping fewer hours than usual, then your body is telling you that it needs some shut-eye to recharge its batteries. So go ahead, catch a few winks!

Understand your Weariness –

But if you are tired beyond reason, ask yourself, why are you so exhausted? Is it because you are not getting enough sleep? You have too much on your plate and you can barely cope? Or maybe you are stressed out. But, sometimes weariness could indicate some deep-seated underlying illness. That is why, if you find yourself dropping dead with exhaustion, the first thing you should be doing is consulting a doctor!Your body is a finely crafted machine. It needs exercise to be in peak shape. It requires sleep to rejuvenate itself. So, don’t skip either.Must Read: Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes And TreatmentDisclaimer: 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.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Can Drinking Water Help In Weight Loss?

Tried and time tested, it goes to say beyond doubt that drinking water helps to lose weight. There are various theories as to why this is the case of how water therapy helps in weight loss, most of them are now testified by research. Let us understand the science behind the fact.

A study published in the journal Obesity found that drinking a little less than half a liter of water around half an hour before each meal helped reduce more than 4 kgs over a period of a month.

Below are four reasons how drinking water can help in losing weight –

  1. Feel Full –

Drinking a couple of glasses of water about 30 minutes before meals helps us feel full and we tend to avoid overeating. Less food equals fewer calories and greater weight loss. Water fills us up and helps us feel satisfied more quickly.

Since water has no calories, choosing it to quench your thirst instead of higher-calorie beverages like juice, soda, sweetened tea, or coffee may help you consume less liquid calories overall. Moreover, drinking water instead of the typical 20-ounce vending machine soft drink may save you a surprising 250 calories!

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

  2. Increase Metabolism –

Metabolism is the rate at which the body converts food into energy. Lack of enough water slows down metabolism by as much as 3%. Thus, intake of water and weight loss are closely related. This means that all the hard work you put in to lose weight is less effective by 3%, simply because your body is dehydrated and cannot perform its best.

Staying adequately hydrated can boost metabolism as much as 30%.

Drink around half a liter of water about half an hour before you hit the gym or the track to maximize your workout benefits.

Given that water makes up a major portion of urine and water keeps stools soft, drinking water makes it easier to produce pee and move faeces. That is to say, the more hydrated you are, the simpler it will be for your body to process things and the less likely that you will experience constipation and bloating.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

  3. Control Hunger –

Many times the craving for that afternoon snack may not be hunger at all; it is just the body’s dehydration signal mistaken for hunger. Drinking an adequate quantity of water will keep the mistaken hunger in check and help lose weight.

  4. Fight fatigue –

Dehydration leads to fatigue and tiredness. A constant feeling of fatigue and tiredness tends to be mistaken as a lack of adequate nourishment. To make up for this perceived lack of nourishment, we tend to stuff our bodies with unnecessary extra calories that lead to weight gain. Keep yourself adequately hydrated, drink ample water to keep up energy levels and avoid binging.

Also, here’s the cherry on top for your weight loss journey, grab our new Weight loss Essentials and cut those extra inches!

Also Read: Do Saunas Help You Lose Weight? A Detailed Look Into The Science Behind It

Also Read: 15 Everyday Benefits Of Jeera Water That You Should Know!

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.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

9

Quality Of Sleep Vs. The Quantity – Which Is More Important?

You may have heard that doctors recommend 7-8 hours of sleep every day to keep your mind and body functioning at their peak. But more recently, another argument that is doing the rounds is, is it only the duration that matters? How about the quality of sleep? Many doctors today consider the ability to get a night’s worth of sound sleep to be a better indicator of health than the hours you spend sleeping.

Sleep Duration –

Sleep duration is not constant. It changes with your age. For example, infants sleep away the whole day. As you grow older, you sleep for fewer hours. Another factor that influences your sleep duration is stress. Anxiety and worries do not allow you to sleep for long periods. You might find yourself waking up frequently or tossing and turning in bed. So, even if you get 6 or seven hours of sleep, you would still feel drained and groggy on waking up.The time you spend in front of your computer screen or on your phone too negatively impacts your sleep duration. Most people are on social media or watch a web series when they turn in for the night. It pumps cortisol and adrenaline- the stress hormones into their system, which may keep sleep at bay. That is why the amount of hours you are in bed is not equivalent to the duration of sleep.Read More: 9 Side Effects of Less SleepEven, the temperature has a say in how many hours of shut-eye you are likely to get tonight.Another reason you have no power over how many hours of sleep you pack in every day is the circadian rhythm. All of us are equipped with an internal clock called the circadian rhythm, which hates surprises or upsets and wants us to stick to a fixed routine. Circadian rhythm requires you to be diurnal- stay awake during the day and sleep throughout the night. But, for many people, it is impossible to adhere to that routine. Many of us have to work night shifts which mess up our sleep hours.Because there are so many factors that can affect sleep duration, scientists do not attach much importance to it.Must Read: How Many Hours Should We Sleep?

Quality of Sleep –

Sleep quality is essentially uninterrupted sleep. It is the quality that determines how well you will be able to function the next day. When you sleep soundly and uninterrupted, your brain can flush out the wastes that had been accumulating in the cells during the day. When your sleep is disturbed, your brain can’t cleanse itself. If this goes on for some time, psychological ailments like forgetfulness, dementia or Alzheimer’s may set in.Untroubled sleep also helps with your cognitive abilities and speeds up learning, storing of data and recollection.

Few Ways You Can Enhance Your Sleep Quality –

  1. Stay away from cell phones/laptops when you go to bed.
  2. Don’t go to bed too late.
  3. Dim the lighting of your room.
  4. Eat at least an hour before going to bed.
  5. Don’t read an ebook, opt for a physical one.
  6. Do a few stretching exercises at night to relax your muscles.
  7. Work out in the evening to release all the excess energy.
  8. Take a refreshing shower before going to bed.
  9. Essential oils, especially lavender, promote sleep.
Read More: How to Get Good Sleep At Night?The number of hours of sleep you get every night is sometimes beyond your control. But you can try to improve your quality of sleep because eventually the quality of sleep trumps quantity. Employ the above-mentioned tips to enhance sleep quality and if they don’t work, consider consulting a doctor.Also Read: Can Power Naps Help You Become Smarter?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.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

1

9 Ways To Assess If A Shoe Is A Good Fit For You

When you are purchasing shoes, it is of paramount importance that you find a pair that fits you perfectly. Their comfort level and not the style-quotient should help you decide whether you should buy them. A good pair that provides sufficient support to your feet is instrumental to your health. Read on to learn how you can assess if the shoe is a good fit for you.

  1. It’s always preferable to buy shoes from a store and not online. This way, you get to try the shoes on to see how they fit. Even if you know your shoe size, there are other factors too you have to keep in mind that influence how comfortable a pair is.
  2. You should only ever buy shoes in the afternoon or evening. Throughout the day, feet keep stretching or swelling infinitesimally. By evening, your feet will have expanded to their maximum length. If you buy shoes in the morning, you might end up with a pair that is a little too small for you.
  3. Once you slip your feet into the shoes, wiggle your toes around. If there isn’t sufficient room for the toes, opt for a larger size. Also, make sure that there is at least an inch of room between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.
  4. Wear shoes and walk around. If you feel the shoes are pinching, or exerting pressure on your feet or if your feet feel compressed, then they are not meant for you.
  5. Wear socks when you try out shoes. That way your feet will be taking up a little more room and you are bound to buy spacious shoes. Moreover, if you are looking to buy running shoes or office wear/formal shoes, then make sure to wear the socks that you usually wear.
  6. Shoes often have tags inside them. Or the material of the shoes might rub against your skin and make it sore. So make sure that there are no itchy tags and the cloth is soft and skin-friendly.
  7. Don’t let the brand name of shoes lure you. Sometimes, lesser-known and less expensive shoes might have just the right shoes for you.
  8. Your shoes must have sturdy soles. Soles absorb shock and protect your feet. Moreover, the soles should be skidproof.
  9. The shoe should be weather-friendly. If you are buying shoes for the summer, the shoes should allow air circulation to let your feet breathe. The material should be summer-friendly. Similarly, the shoes that you buy for the winter should keep your feet snug and warm.

Patients might at times complain of painful Problems like ingrown nails, Blisters, Heel pain, Bunions, athlete’s foot, the cause for these might be as simple as ill fitting shoes which gradually damage the feet.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Also Read: Why Do My Feet Sweat So Much: Understanding the Causes and Solutions

Tight shoes can often lead to sweaty and smelly feet. When shoes fit tightly and leave little room for ventilation and movement, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria – a common fungal infection between the toenails and the toes. Diabetics should be extra careful with this as diabetic foot is a dreaded complication of wrongly sized shoes.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Shoes are more about health than making a fashion statement. If you do not wear the right pair, it could lead to several complications including spinal or nervous ailments. That is why you need to exercise the utmost judiciousness when you purchase shoes.

Also Read: 10 Health Benefits of Regular Exercise

Disclaimer: The information included at 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

How Indian Cricketers Stay Fit And Healthy During The World Cup?

India is a homeland for cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni and last but not least, Virat Kohli. For the upcoming days, Indians would be in front of their TV sets, cheering for the Men in Blue in Cricket World Cup.

But those of us who love watching Kohli hitting it out real hard must be wondering about what makes cricketers’ fitness regime and diet plans for cricketers so extraordinary to withstand all the sports-related stress. Injury-free cricketers are an asset to the National team during this critical championship, so this guide will look into the possibility of work-out regimes, diet plans and cricket-related injuries that go into the daily lives of the Indian cricketers.

Workouts:

Improving the flexibility of the body is the key to the cricketers’ fitness regime. It lowers the risk of injury of the body joints and soft tissues, also strengthening the body for on-field play.

Cricketers perform exercises like quadriceps stretch, standing hamstring stretch and straight leg raises for easing the stiffness around knees; hamstring curls, one-leg wall slides, inner-thigh lifts, etc prevent collateral ligament damage. Upper body exercises strengthen arms and torso for better precision during gameplay. Stretching hamstrings and quads and eccentric training can help lower the intensity of the lower-body injury. Eccentric training involves reducing weight at the time of shoulder press while bringing down the body and performing pull-ups as well as the downward motion of push-ups. Such exercises push the muscles to withstand the typical failure point.

Read more: 7 Health Benefits of Exercise

Diet:

Cricketers’ diet regimen includes whole grains, dairy products, fruit, lean proteins and vegetables. Nutritious carbs get adjusted to training and match demands. Massive training days mean Greek yoghurt, fruit or wholegrain muesli bars. Lower workload days mean higher protein and lower carbohydrate intake through fish, wholegrain crackers, vegetable sticks, boiled eggs, etc.

Exercising regularly, every day if possible, is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Strength training, sometimes called resistance training, should be performed two to three times a week. Apart from this, a cricketer’s diet should consist of lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, as well as minerals.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Injuries and Treatment:

Chances of cricket injuries have increased because of the remarkable increase in international matches being played. Target areas for cricket-related injuries are shoulders, lower back and knees, especially for a bowler. Fast-bowlers tend to injure knees due to the force generated through knee joints that may lead to torn tissues or ligament tear.

Various kinds of injuries can affect cricketers on the field. Options for immediate treatment would be to apply an ice pack over the affected region for around twenty-thirty minutes across every three-four hours and compression by an elastic bandage, to curb the inflammation.

Fluid Needs:

This depends on playing style, position and weather conditions. Monitoring the individual fluid losses of cricketers is very important since the excessive fluid loss (around 2% of the bodyweight) can harm bowling accuracy, running speed, cooling ability and concentration. Cricketers need to fill up on necessary fluids during warm-ups, meal and drink breaks, wicket-falls and when not playing.

Conclusion:

According to India’s captain Virat Kohli, a Healthier body has made him both a better batsman and an improved fielder.

As we cheer for our Men in Blue to win the World Cup 2019, let us all follow their cue to live a more active, fit and healthy lifestyle and become better performers in life.

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.

5
1

Know The Impact Of Loneliness On Physical And Mental Health!

Several studies have confirmed what people have known all along –living alone and loneliness can prompt a plethora of psychological illnesses. The studies have found an undeniable link between the two. These studies were conducted over a long stretch of time and included people across ages and sexes. The result revealed that neither is a factor and loneliness affects everyone the same way.

Common Mental Disorders or CMDs are two times more likely to afflict those who live on their own than those who live with family or others.

The Scope of the Studies Have Been Expanded –

Previously the effect of living alone was tested only on the elderly. But because of changing lifestyle patterns and an increase in incident rates of mental disorders among people of all age groups. These tests began to be less specific and incorporate all irrespective of age or sex. The results revealed that young unmarried people who live alone have twice the risk of experiencing depression and anxiety attacks than their married counterparts who live with their spouse.

Similarly, another survey found that middle-aged people who live on their own do not boast robust psychological health.

Depression is a multi-faceted mental health condition, while loneliness is a transient emotional state.
Feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction can be a factor in the development of depression.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Impact of Loneliness on Physical and Mental Health are as follows – 

 1. Depression

Depression and loneliness are bedfellows. A study by the World Health Organization found that a staggering 300 million people worldwide suffer from different types of depression. Women are more susceptible to it than men are. Depression causes withdrawal from society. Its horrific symptoms are:

Must Read: Symptoms of Depression

Depression can prove to be fatal. There have been cases when people with depression have been driven to take their own lives.

Also Read: What are the Causes of Depression?

 2. Substance Abuse

Studies have proved that if you are surrounded by people whose positivity and love uplift you, then you are less likely to turn to drugs or alcoholism. Drugs propel the secretion of dopamine – a happiness hormone. When dopamine floods through the system, loneliness and all the accompanying pain subside. This temporary release makes people want to experience it repeatedly. That is what makes them reliant on drugs.

Although living alone may have its own perks like giving oneself a personal space, allowing one to live the way one like and having total freedom, it doesn’t come without its cons like low self-esteem, drug/alcohol abuse and poor mental health.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

 3. Social Anxiety

People who live alone invariably suffer from some sort of anxiety or another. They fear uncertainty and are crippled by an overwhelming sense of distress that may interfere with their daily activities. Sometimes it might prompt a panic attack, social anxiety disorders or particular phobias. Also, avoid the foods that cause anxiety.

 4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD

This is one of the rarer fallouts of living alone. This is actually a vicious circle. Loneliness causes OCD and people with OCD are shunned by their peers, which amplifies their loneliness and makes their condition even more severe. One particular kind of OCD that lonely people may display is the habit of hoarding.

Living alone is a health hazard. It can wreck you mentally and in certain cases physically as well.

Also Read: What is Trypophobia: A Deep Dive into the Fear of Holes

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.

7

Benefits of Laughter: Laugh Your Way Into A Long And Healthy Life!

Laughter is the most delightful sound in the world. Humans have been laughing since before they learned how to talk. Apart from conveying to people that you’re in a jubilant mood, there are also many health benefits of laughter.  Read on to know why you will live longer if you break into frequent peals of laughter.

1. Laughing relieves stress

You might have experienced it plenty of times yourself. Once you give in to a belly laugh, you will see your worries miraculously disappear. This is because laughter counteracts stress hormones such as cortisol. The more you laugh, the more your stress levels will drop.

Stress is something that our lifestyles will not allow us to escape. But, it is at the root of a tonne of disorders and can even prove to be fatal. So, to win the war against stress, laugh!

 2. Lowers Blood Pressure

If you have a case of hypertension, then laughter is a necessity. There have been plenty of studies that have proven beyond doubt that laughter can drag down your pressure. And in fact, if you laugh frequently and throughout the day, your blood pressure will stabilize.

 3. Protects your Heart

Another advantage of laughter is that it is a great workout for your heart. So, even if you can’t squeeze in time for an intense exercise schedule, make time for some laughter because it’s an excellent form of cardio. It makes your heart beat faster and pump more blood. Laughter boosts blood circulation and thus cleans out arteries of all plaque. A good laugh is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your heart in prime condition.

  4. Strengthens your T Cells

T Cells are the bedrock of your immunity. They are responsible for hunting down bacterial or viral cells that may trigger an illness. Your laughter activates these cells and this is how the simple and effortless act of laughing can bolster your immunity and help you fight off diseases.

 5. It will make you happy

A heartfelt guffaw not only eradicates stress but also goes a step further and actually makes you happy. Laughter signals the brain to release endorphins- the happy hormone. Endorphins not only promote a feel-good feeling but can relieve chronic pain.

  6. Kills Belly Fat

While laughter cannot be an alternative to exercise, it does its part in the fight against obesity– a killer. When you laugh, your tummy muscles contract and expand. This is a very effective tummy-trimming workout.

Laughter is one activity that has absolutely no adverse impact on your health. So, go on, laugh your heart out and stay healthy.

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.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

2
« Previous Page