Health solutions

TINNITUS :5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on April 14, 2018 1

TINNITUS or ringing ,whistling,buzzing sound in ear is a queer thing.

It’s actually like you can hear the parts of your brain moving.

It’s one of the most mysterious complaints we face as doctor’s.

Have you ever had that feeling of buzzing in ear when you had a cold?

That’s what is Tinnitus.

An irritating background buzz.

For people who suffer from this.It’s more than irritation. It’s life consuming.

What causes Tinnitus?

Excessive noise
Head trauma
Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
Hypertension
Ear infections
Anaemia
Otosclerosis
Diabetes
Certain drugs

Uncommon cause

Acoustic Neuroma
Meniere’s disease
Paget disease

What tests should you do to start treatment early?

Pure tone audiometry
Tympanometry
Short increment sensitivity index
Tone decay test
Thyroid hormone profile
Blood sugar
Lipid Profile
CT Brain

Depending on the above reports

MRI Cerebellopontine angle

Tips to live with Tinnitus

The best way to fight this problem is to rewire your brain.

You make your brain believe, you are not bothered by the sound.

Pretend it’s your personal background music.

Pretend its the neighbours.

Haven’t you ever put on music to drown out noisy neighbourhood fights?

In order to avoid being irritated ,medicines will help.To some extent .

Mindfulness can help decrease the stress of tackling this problem.

Lifestyle changes needed include:

1)Go to bed with TV or music on to block the noise.

Very easy to do and one of the best ways to live with tinnitus .
2)Exercise :Makes you tired enough to fall asleep quickly.

When you work hard you sleep like a log.
3)Neuro vitamins like Vitamin B6 B12 and combination of antioxidants.They help protect your nerves against age related nerve degeneration.

Tinnitus specific drugs have varied results.
4)Avoidance of smoking and alcohol helps prevent further damage to the nerves.
5)Tinnitus retraining therapy

A type of cognitive behavioural therapy .
6)Tinnitus maskers:These are like hearing aids. But act as buffers to block the ringing sound in your ear.

Disclaimer :This is information for educational purpose.For full evaluation always visit your doctor.

Day 28 #NaBloPoMo

Newborn babies common problems:What parents must know

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on April 14, 2018 1

BCG vaccine is given.What can I expect at the site of vaccination?

First vaccination given to newborns after birth is BCG in left upper arm and hepatitis B in thigh.

After BCG vaccination a small swelling develops in the area after 1 month.

This is followed by pus filled nodule .

The nodule ruptures later on ,leading to an ulcer.This finally heals and develop a scar in that area which persists lifelong.

Newborn baby poops after each feed

Pooping after each feed is common in newborns.

This is due to normal physiological phenomenon in newborns.

Sometimes it may be due to viral infection. In both the cases if the baby is feeding well, passing urine regularly and is active you don’t have to worry.

When should you worry?

If feeding is reduced.

Urine is reduced.

Baby is lethargic.

Visit the nearest ER.

Newborn babies Common problems can cause a lot of worries.A few tips to help you battle the problems

Preterm low birth weight baby.What you should know

Preterm low birth weight babies mat have a variety of challenges.

Common issues are maintenance of normal body temperature.

This has to be often checked by touching baby’s abdomen and feet by back of clean hand.

Baby should be kept well covered. Specially head and limbs with multiple covers if needed and close to mother/care givers body.

Avoid bathing and uncovering the baby often. Avoid cold air where baby is kept.

Feeding depends on what type of feed mother has chosen.

Low birth weight babies should be on multiple vitamins, iron and calcium.

Why smiling is good for your health:5 Things that make me smile

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on April 9, 2018 6

Smile is a beautiful expression.

When you smile, the world smiles with you.It’s difficult to be rude to a pleasant smiling person.

When you smile it can actually make you happier.That’s what this research says.

Facial expression can start a particular emotion.It’s like your brain decides to be happier when you stretch your facial muscles into a smile . It helps to rewire your brain positively.

Happiness is a learned activity. The more you smile ,easier it is to practice happiness.

What happens to your brain when you smile?

Neurotransmitters like dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are released when you smile .

Thia are the happy brain chemicals.They lower stress levels .Help elevate mood.

The more you smile better it is for you.

5 Things that me smile

Having fun with family

This is something which always makes me happy. There’s nothing like spending quality time with family .

Your children learn to smile with you.Are you smiling enough ?

The sea

I love staring at the ocean .It gives me a sense of peace I rarely get elsewhere . The sea never grows old .

My favourite sea beaches are Mandarmoni and Puri.

Mountains and flowers

I am a nature fangirl.Love trees ,flowers and green mountains . You can always make me smile if you give me flowers.Better still gift me a plant .

If your want me to smile give me books and flowers.They always make me happy.

A new book

Books are another favourite.A new book as a gift is a great way to keep me grinning happily.

Old friends

There’s something about old friends and old favourite books.They never lose their charm.

They remind you of a time past ,which is always rosy in our memories.
These are the 5 things that make me happy.

Linking up with Ruchie and Romila, share links on WebShadow .

Linking up also with Menaka for Happy Sunday

Day 25 #NaBloPoMo

25 Tips to avoid over eating during holidays

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on April 9, 2018 36

Worried about over eating during holidays?

We all love holidays ,good food, fun with friends and families.

But if research is right, then we gain about half a Kilo, after each bout of holiday food.This piles up.

The holiday food binge makes “you” 5Kg heavier , every decade.

Remember how much sweat you shed to get rid of that 1 kilo?

It’s so easy to gain ?

Why can’t the calories just melt away?

Believe me I researched thoroughly .

You have to prevent it with your body ,mind and soul .

Repel those calories , which slow you down ,make you bloated and unhealthy.

But how can you diet during holidays?

The two never go well together.

So what’s the best way to avoid the fitness crash during,and after holidays ?

How to avoid getting back all those pesky love handles?

25 Tips to avoid overeating during holidays

Try to exercise in the morning . This helps to decrease cravings .

Don’t skip the weights . Weight lifting helps you boost up your BMR .You burn more calories the entire day.

Those endorphins which are released when you exercise helps you avoid emotional. overeating.

Have a healthy breakfast Protein in your breakfast with healthy carbs will keep you full .Proteins at breakfast help keep you fuller, for longer periods

Protein in your breakfast is the secret ingredient, which makes you feel full for longerc

Don’t starve yourself.

Starving the entire day for the party, will make you overeat. .Go for low-calorie ,high fibre options.

Avoid Stress over holiday plans ,menus and guest list.That will make you stuff yourself with high salt high sugar snacks . Emotional earing roller coaster from which it’s a battle getting off.

Sleep

Burning the candle at both ends cm make you crabby .So if you party till late night ,catch up on sleep next morning .

Sleep has a big role to play in decreasing stress,cravings and overall healthy eating choices.

Can your plate help ?

Yes it can!

Our minds play tricks on us

A big white plate makes you heap up all food .Even those that you don’t eat.

Take a smaller plate . If your plate looks crowded you automatically take less.

Try a coloured plate .White colour makes you eat more.Blue less according to colour psychology.

Don’t forget to use your fork while eating.

Using cutlery helps you eat slower

Avoid seconds.This is your pitfall. Remember if you keep healthy ,you can eat all your favourite food forever. Control is key .

Make water your best friend.

Yes I know this advice is as old as the hills.But it works

Drink water 2 glasses 15 to 20 minutes before your meal.It will make you full and help you avoid overeating.

Go low on Salt.

The less salt you have the less sugar you will crave.

Salt makes you swell up .

Plus its relationship with sugar cravings ,make it the number 1 evil to avoid .

Chew

Chewing 20 times as the saying goes ,does help you cut back.

When you chew your muscles break up the food into tiny pieces.This helps in digestion .

The time it takes to chew helps your brain process your eating activity.

Satiety is actually something your brain realizes.Your tummy comes quite late to the game.That’s why eating slowly helps your brain and tummy communicate better.

Eat mindfully

Mindfulness helps you enjoy every mouthful .Appreciating every morsel is a way to practice thankfulness . Plus prevent over indulging.

Eat before you cook

Before starting to cook or bake at home ,have an apple .Never cook bake on an empty stomach .

All the aroma will make you taste too much of your own cooking.

Ditch the sugary drink and the alcohol

Get water favoured with lime ,cinnamon ,and your favourite fruits.

Try to adjust the sugar content in your own baked goodies .Tweak it to make it healthy .

Use healthy methods of cooking.

Grill ,shallow fry or airfry.

Deep frying kicks your fitness out of the orbit.

Don't eat all the deserts .Eat what you love. That way you will never need to go without it.Eating right helps you enjoy food throughout your life — Don’t eat all the deserts .Eat what you love. That way you will never need to go without it.Eating right helps you enjoy food throughout your life

Don’t eat all the deserts on the buffets . Select the one you really love . Maybe have a bite of another .

Use the 3 bite rule.First bite for pleasure.Second bite to slowly savour it.3rd bite for a lingering memory.

Be very picky about your favourites.

Practice saying No.

Ask someone to watch over you .

If you are hosting the party give away the leftovers.Maybe keep some.But not all.

Lastly enjoy your self .Keep your health in mind .But don’t obsess about it.

Do you worry about holiday over eating?

What’s your favourite way to keep fit du ring holidays ?

Comment below to let me know.

Day 23 for #NaBloPoMo

Linking up with marathonsandmotivation

Truth about Bow legs:What you must know

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on April 9, 2018 4

The uterus is the home of a new life.As your baby grows the space inside may seem cramped.

This cramping causes the legs to be folded .

The child is born with bowing of legs ,due to folded leg position in utero.

This bowing in infants is called physiological Genu Vera.

Once they start putting pressure on them while walking ,they may straighten out .This happens by 2 to 3 years of age.

If not corrected ,then they may cause some serious problems.

What are the problems with bowing of leg?

Shortening of 1 leg
Deformity
Difficulty walking running
Higher risk of arthritis.

Persistent bowing may be due some deficiencies.

What are these deficiencies?

Rickets
Blount’s disease
Lead fluoride poisoning

First few tests which you must do:

25(OH) Vitamin D in serum

Serum free calcium level
X-ray of legs.

How will your doctor check for change?

Measurements of distance between knees while child is lying on the back.

This is monitored to see for any worsening

What is the best course of management?

Treat Rickets.
Treatment of any other underlying problem .
Braces& Orthopedic devices to keep the leg in straightened position (serious cases)
Surgery after 3 years (determined according to individual case basis)

All problems may not be solved but timely intervention can change the life of a child for ever.

Day 21 #NaBloPoMo

Protected: Protein in your breakfast :What you must know

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on April 6, 2018 12

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