Showing posts with label Health & Fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health & Fitness. Show all posts

Nov 11, 2018

The Life-saving Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Procedure

November 11, 2018 0 Comments

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation or CPR is a life-saving emergency procedure performed when a person suffers a cardiac arrest. There was a news story recently about how a full term pregnant lady performed CPR on her husband who had suffered a cardiac arrest and saved his life, while waiting for medical help to arrive.

CPR

Is heart attack and cardiac arrest the same?

Though the terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, and it is important to know the difference.

Heart Attack

The heart is supplied with oxygenated blood through two major channels called coronary arteries and their smaller branches. 

A heart attack occurs when blood flow through one or more of these coronary arteries gets blocked, thereby depriving the heart of oxygenated blood.

The symptoms of a heart attack are
  •          Excruciating chest pain
  •          Dizziness, fainting, sweating
  •          Shortness of breath
  •          Pain that radiates to the arms, specifically the left arm or shoulders


Cardiac Arrest

The rhythmic beating and pumping action of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses that pass through the heart. Basically, the heart beats because the electrical impulses compel it to. And because the heart beats, blood circulates throughout the body.

A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating completely and respiration also comes to a complete stop. A person in this situation is on the verge of death. 

 Cardio refers to the heart while pulmonary refers to respiration or breathing. 

The symptoms of a cardiac arrest are
  •       Loss of consciousness
  •       Absence of respiration
  •       Absence of heart beats
  •       No pulse felt


In a nutshell, a heart attack is a blood flow problem, while a cardiac arrest is an electrical conduction problem


Margin Time

A heart attack, in most cases, is not fatal, if diagnosed and treated early. By procedures such as angioplasty, blood flow to the heart can be restored and the heart can function normally for many years.

But, in the case of a cardiac arrest, there is virtually no time. It is fatal unless immediately attended to. If you notice someone having symptoms of a cardiac arrest, or even have mere suspicion, it is best to immediately begin CPR.

 The purpose of a CPR is to keep blood circulation and respiration going on, albeit artificially, so as to prevent irreversible brain damage, which can occur in as little as 3-5 min following a cardiac arrest.


A  CPR is carried out only in the case of a cardiac arrest and must be done immediately


Overview of CPR Procedure

To help someone who faces this life-threatening emergency, it is important to understand the correct way to perform a CPR procedure, while waiting for an ambulance or medical help to arrive.

A CPR procedure involves a series of chest compression and breathing techniques to be performed on the patient and must be done in the correct sequence.

For a well-explained and concise written description of the CPR procedure, the link 7-Step CPR Procedure is a good resource. 
Also, the video below on the CPR Procedure gives a good visual overview.




Immediate CPR can be the difference between life and death.  
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Oct 31, 2018

Water - The Elixir of Life

October 31, 2018 0 Comments


Water is the river on which 
good health flows. 


For optimal health, you should aim to drink at least 1.5-2.0 liters of water per day. Our body is constantly losing moisture due to breathing, skin evaporation, physical activity and through urine. Most people neglect drinking water and do so only when thirsty. 

When you feel thirsty, it is already a warning signal that you haven’t drunk water for a long time; long enough to border on dehydration and that you must urgently replenish your water stock.

The human body is composed of about 60% water

Water is needed by every organ of the body and is critical for eliminating toxins which by itself prevents a large number of infections and diseases. Water is like the plumbing system of the body. Every time you drink a glass of water, you are flushing your body of toxins and wastes. Water helps in maintaining body temperature, nourishes the digestive system and helps with optimal blood circulation. 

Here are the illnesses that can be prevented or kept in check by merely drinking sufficient quantity of water.
Benefits of Drinking Water





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Oct 28, 2018

The Top Health Benefits of Turmeric and Black Pepper

October 28, 2018 0 Comments
Turmeric and Black Pepper are nature’s lethal weapons against a host of diseases.  The ingredients 'Curcumin' in Turmeric and 'Piperine' in Black Pepper are what make them so powerful. By including these spices in our diet, we can keep several diseases at bay.


Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric has several medicinal properties. The main ingredient Curcumin is anti-inflammatory and is an antioxidant. Inflammation that is chronic can give rise to several problems, from heart disease and brain degeneration to cancer. By its powerful anti-inflammatory activity, curcumin can prevent the onset of these diseases. 
Turmeric

Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant. Oxidative damage  becomes a breeding ground for several diseases and can accelerate ageing. Curcumin protects cells and tissues from oxidative damage and stress.

 Turmeric stimulates and boosts the body's immune system which defends the body from illnesses, and is also anti-viral and anti-bacterial. It is also beneficial for reducing pain and inflammation in people with arthritis.

With such vast health benefits, turmeric is a top spice in nature’s list of antibiotics.

Health Benefits of Black Pepper

If you thought Black pepper is good only for seasoning and flavor, think again! Black pepper has numerous health benefits. It boosts digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. The ‘hot’ nature of black pepper causes a rise in metabolic activity thereby aiding digestion and preventing gas formation. 
Black Pepper

 Black pepper contains Piperine that can restrict rapid memory impairment and cognitive decline in the elderly by raising dopamine and serotonin levels. This is helpful for Alzheimer’s patients. Apart from boosting brain health, piperine is a virus-killer, thereby acting as an effective natural remedy for viral cold & flu infections.

Bio-availability

Black pepper is unique in that it boosts the optimal absorption of other nutrients in the body. This is termed as bio-availability. The best example is turmeric. Turmeric on its own is poorly or partially absorbed by the body but when combined with black pepper; its absorption gets a big boost. Black pepper is known to increase the bio-availability of turmeric by nearly 1000%. 
Turmeric + Black Pepper = A powerful natural antibiotic 


A Word of Caution

Though turmeric and black pepper are loaded with benefits, moderation in consumption is necessary. A pinch or less than a pinch of turmeric is all you need and pepper, even lesser. In small doses, these spices are harmless and can extend numerous health benefits.  

If consumed in large doses and over a long period of time, turmeric can cause blood thinning to harmful levels, exacerbate gallstones problems in those who suffer from it, and affect heart functioning and rhythm. Black pepper on the other hand can increase stomach acid, causing acidity, bloating and increase in body heat. 

 Hence, it is important to research how much quantity is safe to consume, considering existing health conditions and to seek expert medical advice before taking any supplements.



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Oct 18, 2018

3 Antioxidant Soups for Perfect Health

October 18, 2018 0 Comments
A bowl of piping hot soup serves a purpose beyond merely acting as an appetizer or warming you up on a cold wintry night. Soups are health-boosting wonders that must find their way into our daily diets.
A Bowl of Soup
Soups are healthy alternatives for getting your-not-so-favourite vegetables into your tummy, more so with young children who make a fuss about taste and choices.

The following three soups are guaranteed to give you a much needed detox and add greatly to your general well-being.

The Gloriously Green Spinach Soup

Think Spinach, Think Bitter is a feeling echoed by many of us. Not many of us like the taste of Spinach which is quite bitter and unpleasant. But as a soup, the bitterness of spinach can be tempered to some extent and the numerous health benefits enjoyed.

Let us look at some of the health benefits of Spinach soup.
  • Spinach is a nutrient-dense green-leafy vegetable but very low in fat and calories. For weight-watchers, Spinach can be a boon. 
  • The soup is rich in iron which is necessary for cell growth and oxygen transport. Women can benefit greatly from Spinach as an iron supplement.  
  • Low levels of iron lead to many undesirable effects such as anemia, fatigue, weakness and increased susceptibility to infections due to low immunity. An iron-rich soup can take care of problems caused by low iron levels.
  • Spinach soup is also rich in Vitamin E which is an important antioxidant vital for normal brain functioning and cognition. 
  • For healthy bones, Spinach can be a valuable addition to your diet for it is packed with calcium, magnesium and Vitamin K.

 For a healthy potion of power-packed nutrients, Spinach soup can be your best friend.


The Ravishing Red Beetroot and Tomato Soup

Beetroot and Tomato are two vegetables that can make for a very tasty and healthy soup full of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.

The benefits of this soup are numerous. 
  • Beet roots help in lowering blood pressure. This is because of the presence of naturally occurring compounds called Nitrates that lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. 
  • Beet roots are ant-inflammatory and contain a unique compound called Betaine which protects our cells and enzymes from environmental stress. Inflammation is the number one cause for several chronic diseases; hence the anti-inflammatory properties of beet roots can help tackle inflammation and keep diseases at bay.
  • The deep rich purple colour of beet roots is because of the presence of powerful phyto-nutrients that are anti-cancer, excellent for detoxification and remove harmful toxins. Beet roots are also rich in Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant and immunity-builder.
  • Tomatoes contain Lycopene- a potent anti-cancer compound.
  • Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K and calcium that boost bone health and cardiovascular health. The nature’s signature of tomatoes points to its benefits for the heart. When you cut open a tomato, you would see the four chambers of the heart!

 With Beet roots and tomatoes mashed together in a soupy mixture, you not only have great taste but a highly-nutritious concoction that will boost your health and perk you up with vital nutrients. 


The Yummy Yellow Lemon and Coriander Soup

This is the quintessentially tangy soup that is sure to get your senses rolling!

Lemon coriander soup contains the goodness of tangy lemon and medicinal coriander to give you a healthy soup that is simply 'souperb' in all respects!

So, what is special about this soup?
  • Lemon Coriander soup is rich in Vitamin C, an immunity-booster that can prevent damage to cell DNA and help repair it. DNA damage is one of the chief causes of cancer.  
  • Vitamin C rejuvenates the system keeping you protected from bacterial and fungal infections including cold, flu etc. It reduces the risk of several diseases such as stroke, heart attack, blood pressure and diabetes. 
  • The soup promotes bone health and protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. 
  • Apart from several health benefits, this soup can promote beautiful, shiny and healthy hair by the antioxidant and medicinal properties that come inherently with coriander.
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