Healthwealthbridge

Health,Wellness,Education,Mompreneurship

Healthwealthbridge Health Wellness Education Wealth

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 10.1K other subscribers
Home » You searched for health » Page 183

Search Results for: health

What should I feed my Child?

By on 0

What should I feed my Child? This is
a question troubling all  moms.

From the time child starts to have complementary feeds, the battle starts.The terrible twos make you wish there was a magic  wand for making your baby eat the green!

What are your worries about your child’s Diet?

Is your child developing health food habits?

What they eat  not only helps them grow but also makes it  easier fir them to learn.

What you teach now will help them their entire lives.

Childhood malnutrition and obesity both have a long term effect.

The good news is both are preventable.

Let me know your queries, at dramrita@healthwealthbridge.com

Lifestyle modifications : Reflux no more

By on 0

What is Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD?

Heartburn: One of the common symptoms you get,

when stomach acid moves upwards and backward into the esophagus or food pipe.

Acid Reflux: The stomach acid moves backward and upwards into the food pipe. Heartburn and acid reflux are used interchangeably to mean the same problem.

GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a spectrum of condition(includes symptoms, injury or histopathological changes) occurring due to chronic, regurgitation of acid and or bile from your stomach into the esophagus.

 

Can children have acid reflux?

Surprisingly, yes. GERD has been the number one oesophageal disorder in children of all age group.GER is common in up to 40 to 65% of infants and generally gets better within 12 to 24 months of age.

Some amount of reflux occurring occasionally, is normal.Only when the reflux occurs persistently and causes symptoms in the child, it is considered pathological.GER causing either feeding problems or breathing problems is sufficient reason for a consultation with your doctor.

 

 Why does it occur?

It is useful to know that, in infants less than one year, acid reflux is often due to immature digestive system.The physiological sphincter is a muscular valve between stomach and oesophagus ,which generally becomes fully functional by one year of age.

Older children might have a variety of reasons, commonly they are

  • Loss of lower esophageal sphincter pressure
  • Frequent transient lower oesophagus sphincter relaxation not associated with swallowing
  • Increased intra-abdominal pressure.This may be due to obesity,overeating,constipation,certain food,aerated b everages,medications
  • Delayed oesophageal acid clearance
  • Delayed gastric emptying
  • When gastric volume is increased (after meals,in pyloric obstruction,in gastric stasis,during acid hypersecretion states)
  • When gastric contents are  near the gastroesophageal junction(in supine position,bending down,hiatal hernia)

 

How do you know it might be Acid reflux?

Symptoms to watch out for

  • Regurgitation:after feeds more common in infants
  • Feeding problems;refusal to feed, irritability ,arching, chokin g, gagging, crying during feeds.These are all sign of oesophagitis and are often responsible  for inadequate weight gain.
  • vomiting frequently
  • cough, frequent and not improving.GER is the third most common cause  chronic cough in pediatric patients when infectious causes are excluded and is the most common cause in the 0 to 18 months age group.
  • Older children: may complain of abdominal pain,burning sensation in throat or mouth,sour taste in mouth,burping excessively with regurgitation of food particles in mouth,something being stuck in throat.
  • In very young children and  infants, colic,poor growth,breathing problems,sleep issues,recurrent pneumonia are all possible symptoms.
  • Otitis media(ear infection,sinusitis,hoarseness,vocal nodule   may be other presentations of GERD

 

Complications of GERD

  • Inadequate weight gain and decreased growth.Regurgitation causes loss of calories and discomfort during feeding also cause child to feed less.
  • Peptic stricture:untreated prolonged oesophagitis may cause this potentially serious complication
  • Erosive oesophagitis may cause bleeding from the oesophagus and present as haematemesis or blood mixed vomit. 
  • Iron deficiency anaemia and stool testing positive for blood are indirect proof of microscopic prolonged gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Very young patients with pain due to oesophagitis may manifest as head tilting,neck cocking,posturing.
  • Respiratory complications: Between  43 % and 61% of children with chronic respiratory symptoms may have coexistent GERD. Apnea,or acute life threatening event is a very serious complication suspected by presence of apnea,change in colour,muscle tone change, choking,gagging.

Persistent cough, aggravation of wheezing in children with asthma and hoarseness are often  present.

 

Diagnosis of GERD

History as explained by parents and physical examination .are often enough for your doctor to suspect this problem.

Improvement of symptoms following anti-reflux  medications is often indirect proof of this condition.

Test for diagnosis:

  • pH probe test:24 hour pH monitoring in ambulatory patients ,help to diagnose  GER.
  • Endoscopic evaluation: fibreoptic laryngoscopy and oesophagogastroduodenoscopy with or without biposy.Biopsy is one of the most reliable test to diagnose nature and severity of complications of GER.
  • Esophageal manometry:measurement of lower oesophageal sphincter muscle tone is measured.

Test for diagnosis of Reflux complication

  • Technetium 99m Scan: this test helps identify reflux and gastric emptying.
  • Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study : swallowing coordination and oesophageal motility.Helpful test in cases of respiratory complications like wheezing intermittent stridor.
  • Bronchoalveolar lavage  with staining for lipid laden macrophages is a test for aspiration and is an early test for aspiration(spillage of food materials  from food pipe to the airway, during coughing,burping,vomiting)
  • Barium swallow study helps to rule out anatomical problems like pyloric stenosis,malrotation,strictures.It is not diagnostic of reflux.

 

 Treatment:

  1. Lifestyle measures and what you as a parent can do
  2. Medical management
  3. Surgical therapy

 

This is the best way ensure long-term benefit to the child and prevent complications.

You as a parent have a very important role in  maintainin good control in prevention of acid remaintainingminimal or no usage of medicine ,depending on severity of condition

  • Diet: smaller feeds,thicker  feeds,calorie dense feeds,frequent feeds.Food may be thickened with rice cereal.Thicker the feed less is the chance of reflux.These modifications of type of feed helps to decrease reflux,increase calorie intake and improve symptoms.

Small volume,calorie dense,thick feeds at frequent intervals is the best way to avoid regurgitation.Donot give water ,milk or any other liquids ,during or immediately after feeds.

Older children need to avoid food items causing reflux:

chocolates,aerated beverages,tomatoes,citrus fruits,fatty food,fried food,mint etc.

Decreasing weight in case of obesity is important in all age group.

  • Timing:at least 2 hours need to pass after meals ,before child is allowed to be in supine position.The same time limit is important for exercising and  any activity which can increase intra-abdominal pressure.

 

  • Positional therapy

Infants : feed your child with the head and upper end of chest elevated.

This you can do by placing a pillow under your folded legs on the left side  (that is below your lap).Head of the baby in the crook of your arm and your back having a good support.

Head end of the bed may be elevated by 20 to 30 degrees.This is done by placing bricks below the bed at the head end.

Prone position decreases reflux  and may only be done under supervision for limited duration.However as  supine position decreases risk of  sudden infant death syndrome American Academy of Pediatricians  strongly recommend supine position during sleep.

 

Medical management 

1)Proton pump inhibitors(PPI):First line choice for treatment .Experience with pediatric dosing and availability of formulations,excellent safety profile ,food and drug administration approval have all made this one of the most popular effective drug for GERD.

  • Omeprazole,esomeprazole,lansoprazole,pantoprazole,rabeprazole
  • How it acts:blockage of proton pump in stomach ,with decrease in production of  H+ or proton present  in stomach acid.This helps in decreasing acid production in stomach.
  • Important to take these medications at least half an hour before meals.Since these are effective from 20 to 22 hours they can be taken once a day.If required twice a day dosing may also be needed.
  • Safety has been established in children between 1.4 and 11.2 years
  • Duration of therapy may be from 6 weeks to 12 weeks.

2)Acid blockers/ Histamine- 2 receptor antagonists:

  • Cimetidine,famotidine,ranitidine
  • Blocks a type of histamine receptors(H2) on stomach cells.
  • Helps in decreasing  acid production .
  • This too has an excellent safety profile.
  • Half an hour before meals and twice a day has the best action.

3)Surface agents:

Sucralfate is popular  as a protective barrier.In acidic pH sucralfate forms protective polymers and adheres  selectively to erosion and ulcers of the mucosa.It is important to give sucralfate before use of either PPI or H2 blockers.

4) Antacids: not popular in children.Long term usage is not recommended as side effects are common.Mostly used as a trial therapy to establish reflux and for providing symptomatic relief.

 

Surgical therapy

  • Considered only as a last resort .
  • When medical therapy fails.
  • When prolonged medical therapy makes patient dependent
  • Patient has GERD induced serious complications.

Nissen fundoplication is the most frequently used procedure in children

 Summary and take home message for    parents:

  • Acid reflux and GERD is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems of childhood.It can largely be treated by modifications of feeding habits,sleep habits and positional therapy.
  • Small volume,calorie dense,thick feeds at frequent intervals is the key to prevent regurgitation.
  • Donot give water ,milk or any other liquids ,during or immediately after feeds.
  • Untreated GERD is a common cause of inadequate weight gain,feeding problems ,recurrent vomiting,persistent cough
  •  GERD is often associated with upper airway  complications and asthma.
  • Proton pump inhibitors  are extraordinary effective in treatment of acid reflux and has a well documented safety profile.
  • Improvement of symptoms of GERD often improves airway complications.

 Updated 19th October 2017

  References

1)Mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease.Vandenplas Y1, Hassall E.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2002 Aug;35(2):119-36.

2)Recent advances in Paediatrics volume 2.Academic editor Suraj Gupte

3)Pathogenesis of chronic persistent cough associated with gastroesophageal reflux.Ing AJ, Ngu MC, Breslin AB.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1994 Jan;149(1):160-7

 4)Nelson text book of Pediatrics

5)GERD REFLUX GUIDE:Dr.Amrita Basu

[wysija_form id=”7″]

Chronic Stress:32 Quick Ways to Relax

By on 1

Stress or tension is part of everyone’ life.Problems we all face, its how we react to them and still relax, which makes all the difference. We had planned for our daughter’s future education, by starting a  fund for her with a notable Insurance company. The agent was somebody who was having a business relationship with us. We had wanted a lump sum amount available for the future. Accordingly, we signed the necessary documents and received the insurance papers. The really stupid mistake was not perusing the document carefully. 2 years have passed since starting the policy.6months back while getting our papers in the order I discovered the sum assured will be paid on maturity in 10 half-yearly installments. Our main purpose of the investment was definitely not met. We were truly shocked. On careful perusal of that particular policy’s term online we realized there actually were two options for payment. The default option was lump sum at maturity with a choice of the other option, if wanted. For 6 months we tried to get a straight reply from the agent. But till date mystery’s still unfolding and we are in limbo. Why such a story about insurance? I really believe we should live the healthiest life possible. But we truly have to be ready for all eventualities. This actually means less worry! Taking advice and delegating is important. But more important probably is to do your research before taking important decisions. You really have to look after your own garden! What are the causes of your stress? Maybe the solution to a problem is just around the corner. You probably don’t want to overlook any potential problems or their solution. You don’t like to face sudden unpleasant surprises. You like being responsible. Now   Ask yourself these questions… 1)Have you taken adequate health-insurance? 2)Do you have Term life insurances of the right amount? 3)Do  you   have a  nest  egg  fund  for  emergencies 4)What is the status of your Savings? 5) What about retirement planning? When do you plan to retire? Are you keeping at least   10%   of your monthly salary for retirement? 6)What are your health worries? 7)What are your worries about your family? 8)Are you satisfied with your Job?  You should read the book ‘16  Personal  Financial  Principles Every Investor should know by Manish Chauhan of Jago Investor.This book will help you streamline solutions to many of your money issues. All   your   worries  may  be  divided  into :
  • Health worries
  • Family  worries
  • Wealth  or  career worries
  • Social worries
The biggest drain on financial resources can be healthcare costs. I want you to live a healthier life, but you really can’t be physically 100% healthy without mental peace. Only when you have planned and ready for emergencies, you will cut down on the excessive worries. Chronic stress: 32 ways to beat it!

Symptoms and signs of the   silent disease “Stress”

  • Increased stress can cause  and aggravate
  • Elevated Blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Asthma
  • Sleep problems
  • Chest pain
  • Stomach upset
  • Sexual and reproductive problems, including infertility.
  • Smoking alcoholism and substance abuse make stress worse.
  • Increases weight/obesity

Cognitive symptoms of stress

Excessive pessimism Poor judgment and focus Forgetfulness, and disorganization. Too much clutter and outer chaos is a sign of inner stress and

Some behavior indicating stress include

Pacing, fidgeting, and nail-biting.

Interestingly stress can show up as a physical symptom too

Upset stomach, headaches, low energy, aches, pains, tense muscles, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, frequent colds, infections, etc. Stress causes a surge of excess corticosteroids in your body. They can play havoc with your immunity. Thats definitely not good.

Stress facts

1)43% of adults suffer the adverse health effects of chronic stress. 2)70% to 90%  of doctors visit is due to stress-related complaints. 3)Up to 50% of emotional disorders during a person lifetime is due to untreated chronic stress. 4)Women have a much larger area of the brain involved in emotions. We worry more because our emotional quotient is also higher. Since we have more empathy, we worry for ourselves, for our family and for our friends. Get rid of the chronic stressors. This weekend take time to write everything that is worrying you. Get started using this checklist. What worries you most about your finances and your insurances. How can you deal with the problems quickly and effectively? What is your personal life stresses you most? What are the stressors in Professional life? Write these all down in 1/2/3   pages. Next, write to be done, maybe later, delete next to all the topics you have covered. You will now find that your list of problems seems much smaller and more manageable.

32 Quick ways for Stress management:Relax

1)Know your priorities and delegate the less important. Health and family are the most important. 2)Keep some ‘me’ time every day. Preferably in the morning. Pause for 10  min to 25 min. Meditate. Tai -chi has also been known to decrease stress. Meditation programs can result in small to moderate reduction of multiple negative dimensions of psychological stress. 3)Read a good book. Few pages every day.Fiction, nonfiction, anything you enjoy at bedtime.I love murder mysteries. They help me unwind after a long day of managing patients. 3)Start a small garden: Gardening is therapy for tired minds.  Watching things grow will make you happier and the color green is naturally relaxing. My balcony garden 4)Breathe deeply. Sit with your back straight. One hand on your stomach.The other over your chest. While breathing in, hand on your stomach should move much more than the other hand. Release your breath slowly and make it really slow.

Breathing exercise to decrease stress

5.Set small goals and reward yourself when you are able to meet them.
  1. Organize yourself. Clutter is a known stress inducer.
  2. Listen to music. Sound of the waterfall, rainfall, birds chirping is all relaxing.
  3. Laugh. Laughter is truly the best medicine. Read funny stories, watch cartoons! Just laugh. Good laughter releases endorphins in our brain, which are natural feel-good chemicals.
9.Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts, actions in the present. It helps us focus on the now. Whenever you find your mind wandering, stop, focus. Preventing multi-thinking and multitasking cuts down on stress. Studies with war veterans have shown the positive effect of mindfulness on decreasing stress.
  1. Make friends. Socializing is one of the best ways to unwind. Even if you are an introvert make it a point to meet people at least once or twice a week.
  • Look for the silver lining in the cloud. Think positive and speak positively. Sometimes if you can’t speak well, it’s better not to Speak! Take  a break and come  back when  you  are  calmer
12. Talk to a close friend or trusted counselor. Sharing   can  really  make   your  grief   lighter 13.Exercise.Walk, run, jog, yoga kickboxing…  anything. Aerobic exercises: jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, gardening, and dancing, help in fighting stress. Mood improvements are caused by exercise-induced increase in blood circulation to the brain and by an influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods. It improves self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise also helps to improve low self-esteem and social withdrawal. Health  benefits  of  exercise include:
  • Improved   sleep
  • Increased  interest  in  sex
  • Better  endurance
  • Stress  relief
  • Improvement  in  mood
  • Increased   energy  and  stamina
  • Reduced tiredness  that  can  increase  mental  alertness
  • Weight  reduction
  • Reduced  cholesterol  and  improved  cardiovascular  fitness
14. Be grateful. Give your loved ones a hug and a kiss. Count your blessings and be grateful for the wonderful people you have in your life. Gratitude is a very powerful emotion and can truly help you realize the power of positive thinking. Try keeping a gratitude journal. Research has proved that writing down 3 to  10 things you are grateful for once a week has a positive effect. Thankful Thursdays are my way.
  1. Whenever you start worrying do a brain dump. Imagine a black hole in your brain where you throw in all the worries. Just concentrate on the blackness of the hole and relax.
  • Do a gradual, progressive muscle relaxation. Start from your right foot, then left and move upwards. You can actually relax the muscles in your temple by concentrating ….just using your mind. This technique helps to relax the tight muscles and is a well-known technique to counteract sleep problems.
  • Start a new hobby. Learn something new. Distraction works. Your  brain while  busy learning, stops worrying
  • Start relaxing and losing weight. Stress causes excessive release of cortisol, a fat storing hormone. This can make you fat. Letting go of worries helps you lose weight is a great boost for all of us.
19. Don’t be a night owl. Have dinner and start unwinding at least 2/ 3  hours before  bedtime 20.Sleep.A least 7 hours at night. Less than 6 hours of sleep and more than 8 hours both are associated with an increased risk of stroke.
  1. Have a peaceful bedroom. Keep your phone away in a different room in silent mode when you are going to bed. Preferably no television in your bedroom. You can check out The Inspired room blog for budget-friendly ways to make your bedroom your sanctuary.
  • Don’t have caffeine before going to bed. Decrease your caffeine intake to 2/3 cups per day.
  • Try to avoid long commutes. Commuting by any means for more than 10 miles every day has been known to
cause, fatigue, insomnia, and many health problems.
  1. Avoid processed food . Packaged, processed food increase the level of cortisol hormone in your body. Signaling your brain to be in a stressful mode.
  • Stop checking your inbox multiple times every day. Try doing it twice a day. Keeping  up  with the  information overload is tough
26. Drink green tea, white tea, chamomile tea, all are known to relax the mind and body.
  1. Spend time with your family, play with children.
28.Delegate time for discussing problems. Try to avoid prolonged rants about the boss, office, in-laws, maids, etc. Spend 10 minutes ranting, then just disconnect. Don’t  let the bad mood, spoil the family time 29.Practice self-control. Angry words hurt. Whenever you find yourself losing your temper, breathe deeply, count to 10 and stop talking. 30.Visual Relaxation therapy: Visualize a happy moment in your childhood.A peaceful location where you have visited. Visual therapy helps calm a stormy mind.
  1. Make a pact with a friend /partner/family member. Put money in a jar if you find yourself obsessively worrying about something. At least if you are a chronic worrier it may just make you rich!
32.Love and make love…one of the best ways to release endorphin and counter the effects of stress in your body.

The  diet which helps you Relax

  • Eat complex carbohydrates like oatmeal which prevent blood sugar surges and mood swings(Sugars promote serotonin production in the brain which is feel-good chemicals.
  • Pistachios, almonds. Vitamin E and the good fat in this help fight stress-related antioxidant damage.
  • Oranges( they are rich in Vitamin C, helps to boost immunity and fight stress-related antioxidant damage to our tissues).
  • Naturally, fatty fishes are rich in omega 3 fatty acids
  • Spinach, leafy greens ..they are rich in magnesium which helps prevent headache due to stress
  • A glass of warm milk at bedtime. Provides enough calcium to fight anxiety and depression.But it may not be for everyone.
  • Have a piece of dark chocolate.
  • Practically an unbeatable source of endorphin.
Take home message Worries and stress are a part and parcel of life. There are as many solutions as there are causes. Whether worries and stress are allowed to take over your life, depends entirely on you. There will always be some reason to worry and you must already be having your own way to cope with them. In this article, I have compiled  32 solutions to beat stress(don’t worry over the list)! Most of them must already be using to cope with the various challenges in your life. The others will help you some more. Lifestyle and dietary changes are very important. More important is your mindset. You can choose to not let stress ruin you. Take some action now to get rid of the silent disease stress. Small goals, definite goals.Slow,steady,persistent.Take charge. Live life to the fullest. Be grateful. Be stress-free! REFERENCES: 1)Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Goyal M1, Singh S1, Sibinga EM2, Gould NF3, Rowland-Seymour A1, Sharma R4, Berger Z1, Sleicher D3, Maron DD4, Shihab HM4, Ranasinghe PD1, Linn S4,Saha S2, Bass EB5, Haythornthwaite JAJAMA Intern Med. 2014 Mar;174(3):357-68. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018. 2) Mind/body techniques for physiological and psychological stress reduction: stress management via Tai Chi training – a pilot study. Esch T1, Duckstein J, Welke J, Braun V. Med Sci Monit. 2007 Nov;13(11):CR488-497. 3)The effects of relaxation on reducing depression, anxiety and stress in women who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer.Fahimeh Kashani,1 Sima Babaee, MSc,2 Masoud Bahrami, PhD,3 and Mahboobeh Valiani, MSc4.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2012 Jan-Feb; 17(1): 30–33.PMCID: PMC3590692 4)Stress: Neurobiology, consequences and management .Anil Kumar, Puneet Rinwa, Gurleen Kaur, and Lalit Machawal.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2013 Apr-Jun;; 5(2): 91–97. 5)Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) reduces anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in veterans.  Serpa JG1, Taylor SL, Tillisch K.Med Care. 2014 Dec;52(12 Suppl 5):S19-24. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000202. 6)Relaxation training for anxiety: a ten-years systematic review with meta-analysis  .Gian Mauro Manzoni12*, Francesco Pagnini2, Gianluca Castelnuovo13 and Enrico Molinari13 7)The effects of an intensive lifestyle modification program on sleep and stress disorders.Merrill RM1, Aldana SG, Greenlaw RL, Diehl HA, Salberg A.J Nutr Health Aging. 2007 May-Jun;11(3):242-8. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007 May-Jun;11(3):242-8. 8)Effects of exercise on anxiety, depression and mood [in Polish] Psychiatr    Guszkowska M.Pol.2004;38:611–620.

17 Startling Facebook Secrets I Stumbled Upon (Novice guide)

By on 1

Blogchatter projects threw up 2 most important personal revelations.

1)December I need to unwind, say thank you and have fun.Next year come December I will have all my post prescheduled and social media automated.

I love winters and picnics and this is not a good time for me to analyze numbers and write posts.Its the season to welcome baby Jesus, bake cakes and share them.

But a promise is a promise and I promised myself 4 posts this December on the topic of Social media with the best ROI.

Now I need a disclaimer here:

What works for me may not work for you.Its only 23 days of testing here.This is India and I have a limited budget.I plan to continue tests and tweaks to make the results statistically viable.

17  Startling Thing I realized this month about Facebook (Novice guide)

  1. Facebook ads are great to boost the traffic and get your email list bigger.
  2. You need to tweak a few times to target the perfect audience.
  3. Neil Patel’s Facebook ad tips work.But you need to remember you do with what you have where you are.Go slow and do it one tip at a time to avoid overwhelm.
  4. Adding video makes your ads reach higher.
  5. Even if you don’t do an ad, fresh videos posted on Facebook have options for adding tags to reach the right audience.That amazing.On any given day a short video clip will have more impressions than a static image, which is much better than a text-only post!
  6. Fact is people don’t read!
  7. People like pretty faces on Facebook.
  8. People don’t like too much text on the picture.
  9. You have to find the best time to post on your page.If you ignore this you will regret.That’s a guarantee.
  10. Facebook allows you to use PayTM in India for boosting.That makes it super convenient.You don’t have to use net banking and get all bothered.Also, you can do it using your phone.The minimum ad budget is Rs 120!How cool is that?
  11. Facebook wants GST number.Now I am a part-time blogger with no GST number. I wonder what options will be available.
  12. The Facebook business manager is cool but makes managing ads and posting on your page difficult on mobile without the dedicated app.What with my phone full of apps, I cant manage another one.So I have to let it go.Maybe later.
  13. Facebook still is the social top traffic referrer for me.But Facebook wants to make money.That’s understandable.It has a purpose and the purpose is not to make you keep in touch with friends.Surprised?But this insight will help you understand the purpose of any profitable venture.You make money only if you are useful, helpful and awesome.That’s why when the organic reach for pages has come down for many, videos are still getting good views.The Facebook algorithm has people spending zillions over.Thereare  few ways you can fight with a giant.But if the giant likes what you make, it will help you promote that.That’s where videos come in.
  14. Before you change the copy of your ad or the picture or do any of the tweaks you really want to do.Wait at least for 24 to 48 hours.Facebook likes finding the best people to show your ad.But that takes at least 24hours.So do not be impatient.Experts suggest waiting for around 10,000 impressions or 500 clicks before you do any changes.With values lower than this you don’t have enough data to be statistically significant.A big reason I need to run more tests before I share results.
  15. A great Headline works every time everywhere.For this, a little work is needed.Experts want you to convey the same message through your image and text.But don’t make it long. Short works great here.Best is something between 20 to 40 characters according to Facebook.
  16. Use captioned videos.They work better than those with audio.That makes me very happy.
  17. Check your story.Yes, storytelling is what gets you those clicks.You have a few seconds to tell your story through your headline and picture/ video.So make it good.It’s almost like the dating game.A split second is what it takes you often to decide whether you will click

Takeaways :

Facebook adores videos.Are you making videos?Are you afraid of videos?Want to know a cool way of making your own video from your published posts with a minimal headache? Sign up below through this form and you will get my report detailing the exact steps I took to make video content for my posts.

Fill up this  form  if you want to get the report pdf and a workbook for planning your Social media promotion.

Or email me at dramrita@healthwealthbridge.com and say Give me the report when its ready!

This post 2 of my 4 part series #BlogchatterProjects: Entrepreneurship  & social media promotion.

Read part I here.

Coping with Obesity….Battle With the Bulge

By on 6

Coping with obesity

Obesity nowadays, gets a lot of attention due to the many resultant  , medical issues .Rarely do we think about the mental status and emotional upheaval an overweight person goes through in their struggle with   yo- yoing weight.

Like many other  super  busy  females , my diet and lifestyle was a total mess.I was actually one of those who are on the verge to topple over to the wrong side…I was Obese(that’s actually an impolite word for fat).

 

coping with obesity
Richa before the battle

 

The self delusions

I’m plump not fat ! But  that’s a version I  had created to make myself   temporarily  happy 😉 .But the constant inner struggle with the weight issue was taking over my life.

2 years back I decided enough was enough! It was time to put my foot firmly down and “Battle the Bulge”

Slow And Steady..

So as a new perspective to the topic I’d like to emphasize that “slow and steady does win the race” . No one changes drastically (except film stars, and  they get paid for that) so just keep steady and continue your journey from being PLUMP to “oh wow”.

You’ll find loads of sites telling you how to loose weight, easy way hard way. 5 minute workout,15 minute workout but please don’t fall for capsules, powders, fad diets. They are harmful and they almost never helps in loosing weight but are definitely good way to lose money.

I’m sorry to tell you this but there’s only one way to succeed  and it’s always the long way.What works for one may not for another.That is the crux of the problem, and also the solution.

Solutions

I needed  diet and exercise personalised to suite my lifestyle, body type and emotional  makeup.Anything drastic often worked only in the short time.

Well, I tried yoga, but sitting on mat and meditating was not my style .Though “suryanamaskar” 10-20 times/day helped my sister. It took her just 3 months for noticeable loss in inches.

Through my series of blog posts I will take you along with me on my “battle with the bulge”! Personally I took on walking but the progress was depressingly slow.I nearly gave up on it , when one fine day my friend commented that I was  toning up! That  made my day.

To cut it short, I’m not here to tell you how to loose weight as you can find many healthy recipes, exercises, and yoga on the Internet. I’ll tell you how to cope with all this, when you are still plump.

I am going to be your girlfriend who will be your weight loss BFF. I will hold your hand when you lack motivation.High five you when you achieve your goals and be with you in your journey every step of the way.

Quick tips to help you along:

  • Wear clothes that are of your size .Loose c, ill-fitting clothes make you look fatter and unfashionable.
  • First of all “Don’t give up”….. ever .Continue the efforts because it really shows.
  •  Use jazzy accessories as a focal point to drag attention away from waist .Necklaces preferably longer ones, dangling earrings & lots of bangles. Do flaunt them outrageously.
  • Broader and wider neckline, cowl neck, deep V necked,and deep back they all helps. High necks are big NO NO…
  • A good hairstyle helps; please don’t hold on to old hairstyle ,if it’s not doing anything for you.Nothing can make you more noticeable than a drastic change” so go ahead get a highlight, or shorter hairstyle, straightening anything that suits you.
  • Always carry a big bag. Your bag should be proportionate to your body; a smaller and snug bag will make you look bulkier.
  •  If you are confident then short clothes like snug skirts or shorts just till or above the knee will make you slimmer and taller.
  • Be confident and carry yourself with grace.You are unique and gorgeous in your own unique way.Confident style improves your stature and outlook of people towards you.
  • Most important tip of all click cute pictures.

Here are few tips: always find someone bulkier than you to click picture with.

Hide behind something or anything? Hold your  baby in front or a cushion & even your bag it’ll do the trick.

Take picture from above so that the lower half of body’s out of focus…. Believe me nothing’s more encouraging than 50 likes on Facebook.

 

Coping with obesity .tips tricks
fighting the battle ….and winning

Though these ideas will not to help you lose weight, but they’ll help you ,while you are loosing few pounds and encourage you to do more…. Keep it up.

Get Gorgeous and stay gorgeous….

 

You can check some tips for a healthy lifestyle HERE

 

Ebola virus …protect yourself

By on 0

What is Ebola  virus  and why the scare?

(This post has been updated following new breakthrough in prevention of Ebola virus infection)

 

Ebola is a RNA. virus belonging to the filoviridae group.Marburg is the  other virus  belonging to this group which causes a similar disease but is antigenically distinct. Ebola causes Haemorrhagic fever.

Ebola virus Infection.Image  courtesy sscreations at Freedigitalphotos.net

It has 4 distinct family member all of which are of African origin . Ebola is a category 4 pathogen , due to its high associated mortality and potential for aerosol spread. No aerosol spread of Ebola has been documented in the current epidemic  . There has been more than 20 Haemorrhagic fever outbreaks due to these 2 viruses but none has documented transmission before  patient is  symptomatic. Zaire Ebola virus is responsible for the 2014  West Africa outbreak. Experts opine that the current epidemic , occurred mainly due to lack of personal protection and absence of   universal barrier nursing care .2 things which are unfortunately often the cause behind epidemics in  developing countries.  

Ebola virus Infection can cause Epidemics.Image  courtesy Stuart Miles at Freedigitalphotos.net

Current status Ebola

As per data available with CDC  the total number of laboratory confirmed cases (till 7th December 2014) is 11288.Of these the total number of deaths reported is 6388.This outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever is the worst documented epidemic in West Africa in recent history.Grim stats no doubt but protection is possible.Knowledge like always is power if applied properly.

Who can spread Ebola?

Bats are  reservoirs  with transmission from bats to other wild animals and humans

  • Symptomatic cases are contagious.
  • Incubation period 7 to 10days ( range 3 to days)
  • Symptoms:fever, severe headache, malaise , myalgia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,chest pain, cough.
  • Bleeding may begin about days later from. any mucosal site and into the skin.

Ebola virus infection.Image courtesy kjnnt at Freedigitalphotos.net 

 

  • Even when patient is declared cured virus may persist in semen and some other body fluids for several  weeks.

How is Ebola virus spread?

Direct contact of mucous membrane, cut skin with:

  • Blood products of Ebola cases
  • Body fluids like sweat, saliva vomit, urine, faeces, semen of Ebola cases
  • Needles, syringes etc  contaminated with blood , body fluids of Ebola cases.

How does Ebola virus spread

  • Meat of infected animals
  • Viral load increases with severity of illness of patients.

Ebola virus is a Biosafety level 4 pathogen  as it is associated with high fatality rate  and potential  for aerosol infectivity. However generally sick patients rarely generate sufficient amount of aerosols to pose a significant hazard. But large droplets ( in the form of splashes or sprays) may cause potential hazard to exposed mucosa.Thus personal protective equipment for all healthcare workers  is the best way to control spread.

Who needs protection?

High Risk Exposure:

Risk of Ebola virus Infection .Image courtesy Stuart Miles at Freedigitalphotos.net

 

  • All family members in direct  contact with symptomatic cases.
  • All care givers  of symptomatic  cases.
  • Healthcare workers  exposed to  Ebola   cases .
  • Travellers travelling to region  with Ebola cases.
  • All staff responsible for waste disposal of Ebola cases.All high risk

All high risk exposure cases need to be monitored,   together  with restriction of  travel and general public activity.

 

How to protect yourself?

Ebola virus infection prevention.Image courtesy Stuart Miles at Freedigitalphotos.net

 

  • Ebola virus is said to be inactivated by heat at about  60 degree celsius.It is also  sensitive to household bleach etc.Personal protective equipment is essential for protection in a healthcare setup.Important guidelines  to ensure  your safety includes:
  • Wash hands, use hand sanitizer
  •  Use household bleach , disinfectants on surfaces contaminated with blood, body fluids
  • Use personal protective gear/ equipments if you are working in a healthcare setup / caring for patients with Ebola virus disease
  • Dispose  of used  contaminated,needles, bedding, clothing in a hygienic manner.
  • Do inform appropriate health care authority in case ,you are returning from travel in country with known outbreak of Ebola cases and running fever  or any other symptoms  of Ebola within 21 days of return.
  • Inform appropriate healthcare authority  in case you have been in direct ,unprotected contact with any patient of Ebola.

Diagnosis

  • Real Time PCR
  • Antigen detection by ELISA
  • Virus isolation
  • immunohistochemistry  and HPE
  • Serology for IgM and IgG antibodies (only in confirmed cases)

 

Treatment

  • Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment
  • Maintenance of fluid,  electrolyte  levels and acid -base balance
  • Monitoring vital parameters
  • Management of Shock and other complications when they appear

Human convalescent serum is a potential mode of treatment which is currently under evaluation by WHO.There exists no vaccine , antivirus drug ,immune mediated or any other definitive treatment for the Ebola virus.

 

Update on Ebola  Virus management

A ray of hope .Prevention of Infection during epidemics of Ebola virus is under investigation. A  rVSV -vectored  ebola vaccine which is expressing the Ebola surface glycoprotein is  being .

 

Initial results indicate that  the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine will be highly  efficient in preventing Ebola virus disease. 

It’s safety profile isgood.It is most likely be given to the population at risk by a ring vaccination strategy during Ebola outbreaks.

 

Hope, Pray and Prevent   …. take home message

As always PREVENTION is  better than cure.Extensive healthcare support provided by Doctors without borders and WHO has been possible due to strict adherence of these basic guidelines. Humane behaviour ,care  towards those affected  together with your own personal protection  will help in fighting  this  fatal disease destroying Africa , with potential to destroy the world. Case fatality rate is as high as 50%to 70 % in the current epidemic.Significantly this rate is much lower when there is  a good healthcare setup with intensive  care facilities. Strict isolation and management of index cases is the best way to combat the  disease  when it appears in new territories. Training of airport staff who are screening travellers  and  exhaustive  isolation   and treatment  protocols should be in place for all facilities responsible for taking care of cases and suspected cases. Above all Personal protective gear  and training  should be provided for all healthcare workers faced with the responsibility of caring for the sick. Unnecessary public hysteria , panic and social shunning of those suspected of this disease in other parts of the world will only help to spread the disease beyond its natural habitat. Stay informed, avoid  panic and take care, the rest is God’s Will!

References

Harrison Internal Medicine

www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/  

Disclaimer:The purpose of this article is strictly for educational interest and is not meant as a replacement for professional opinion.

 

>

 

 

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 10.1K other subscribers

Healthwealthbridge Library

Categories

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 10.1K other subscribers

Podcast

Testimonials

  • Roshan Radhakrishnan says "An extremely talented doctor and author of multiple books, Dr. Amrita does a great job managing multiple roles with ease." Anaesthesiologist (Human painkiller) ¦¦ Winner #TOIWriteIndia - S01 & 02 ¦¦ Finding #HeroesOfKindness across the world
    Roshan Radhakrishnan
  • Vishakha Talreja says "Amrita has immense knowledge of health-related content. Her writing style is reader-friendly and I have seen her blog posts go viral for the sheer fact that they are informative and helpful.
    As a doctor too her knowledge is noteworthy and she always gives the right consultation that is in beat interests of those consulting her. She is also hands-on on the issues faced by her own community. Having worked with her I can definitely vouch for her professionalism and punctuality."  
    Vishakha Talreja

ORS Awareness by WB IAP

Affiliate Disclaimer

There are affiliate links in the blog post. This means I will get a small commission if you visit and buy after clicking on a link to an external site,at no extra cost to you. This also helps to sustain the website. Thank you for your help

Healthwealthbridge Disclaimer

The health -wellness information is shared on this website to improve public awareness about lifestyle diseases, products, that may help or harm us. This is in no way a replacement for professional medical advice. Please always consult your doctor for personalized medical advice.

Krishna Mishra and the Mysterious Movie Star(#Book 1) by Dr.Amrita Basu|Full Mystery Audiobook

Follow Us

error: Content is protected !!