Everyday we are exposed to allergy causing elements and many of them affect us. The most common of them include pollen allergy, sinus, asthma and other nasal allergies. Another important reason for allergy is the seasonal climate change which triggers various health issues including all the above allergies especially in metropolitan cities and thickly populated areas.
Wide Spread Allergies
On a daily basis a single doctor in a city like Bangalore treats 5-7 patients with nasal allergies, chronic sinusitis and nasal obstruction. For a typical ENT surgeon, these cases can be high as 30-40 percent of the daily patient load which points to the national prevalence of chronic sinusitis in 1 out of 8 Indians, as per the National Institute of Allergy and infectious diseases. This seems to be very high and very concerning figure of the prevalence of sinusitis in the country.
How to treat Sinusitis?
Sinusitis can be controlled with medication, lifestyle changes and surgeries, which are also ways to control other allergies. Many patients show signs of improvement with courses of antibiotics, nasal sprays and anti-allergy medications. Yet may suffer from sinusitis inspite of treatment for months together. This patients require even surgical correction to improve air circulation into the sinuses. But many people delay surgical treatment in the hope that the headaches will disappear over time. The delay in treatment can affect the eye or brain and lead to a poor quality of life.
Tips for keeping sinusitis away
It is advisable to use salt water sprays to keep the nasal passage and sinuses clean. Salt water does not cause any side effects and they wash the nasal passages. Salt water also clears the collected mucus that causes the inflammations. Jal Neeti and Yoga are natural ways to treat sinusitis. Certain forms of yoga/ Jal Neeti(swimmimg ) helps to improve circulation within the sinuses. If medications and natural therapies fail then it is advised to seek surgical treatment.
We have read a lot about left arm pain and heard friends and family suggest that it could be heart related. Actually pain in the left arm can be due to various reasons, ranging from ordinary muscle pain to even severe heart attack. Other reasons are ailments of the skin, soft tissue, nerves, bones, joints or blood vessels in the arm. Before concluding that left arm pain is due to heart problem we should eliminate other causes.
There are several factors like those given below to consider before narrowing down the pain to heart related pain.
What is the intensity of pain?
If it is a heart attack then most often we feel like some pressure or squeezing like sensation in the left side. It can be mild in pain or not painful at all (called silent heart attack). The pain can also be in full measure and it will rank 10 out of 10 in intensity. Rather than the left arm this pain will be more in the chest area and then radiate down the left arm and go up your jaw or the back.
Look for other signs
Apart from the pain in the arm, jaw, neck and back some other symptoms are also observed and these may include – nausea, dizziness, and cold sweat, shortness of breath and chest tightness & difficulty in breathing. If any of these symptoms occur along with left arm pain then it is advisable to see a doctor immediately to rule out heart attack.
Note the duration of pain
If the left arm pain lasts only for few seconds then it is unlikely that it is due to any heart ailment. If the pain persists for a long time (for days or even weeks), it is also unlikely that it has something to do with your heart. Only if lasts for few minutes to few hours then you should doubt that it has connection to heart problem. Take not of the interval of your pain occurring and if possible not it down which will help the doctor know your case better.
Is your pain due to Angina?
Angina is a pain that is caused due to insufficient blood flow to the heart. When Angina occurs you feel a squeezing or pressure sensation along with pain in your shoulders, your chest, your arms, your back or your neck. It may also feel like indigestion. It is not compulsory that Angina pain should be in the left arm but there is always a possibility. Angina can worsen due to stress either physical or emotional. If you suspect you have Angina it is best to meet a doctor. It requires appropriate evaluation and treatment.
Check for pain due to other reasons
There are many other reasons for the left side pain to occur and if you look at them one by one then here are a few important ones.
Moving your neck causes pain, and then it should be due to cervical spondylosis. If the pain aggravates when you move your shoulder it could be due to shoulder arthritis. If you feel numbness or lose function in the left arm it may be due to nerve related injury. If there is variance in your blood pressure then it may be due peripheral arterial disease like atheroscelrosis and commonly occurs in smokers.
We all know that it is very difficult to get off a habit like smoking. To quit the habit it requires a humongous effort from the smoker and even after quitting it take careful steps to keep the urge to smoke away from you. Here are a few tips how to manage the first few days after you quit smoking.
SIPPING & FOOD
One easy way to prevent the urge to smoke is by sipping cold water through a straw so that it replaces the act of sucking on a cigarette. Sipping also releases dopamine, a brain chemical that helps in easing our bad moods.
As far as food or diet is concerned, eating small meals can help to get over the urge to smoke. You should choose light, healthy foods to avoid any weight gain.
NOTE THE BENEFITS
As you quit smoking you will be starting to enjoy the benefits of a smoke-free life. What you should do is seriously make a note of all the benefits and store it in your mind. The benefits may include feeling in control, saving money, smelling better, food tasting better, feeling more energetic. When the urge to smoke rekindles, just take a look at the long list of benefits and decide to keep it away.
ORAL HYGIENE
One big advantage of stopping the smoking habit is that your mouth feels and smells better. You will have better taste for your food and your breath will be fresher. Brush your teeth as often as you can so that your teeth, mouth and breath remain fresh. This will deter you every time you want a smoke.
AVOID DRINKING ALCOHOL
It has been found that drinking is a habit that will make a person go back to smoking. We know alcohol breaks down self-control and that can increase your urge for a smoke. Many people associate smoking with a session of drinking, so a drink or two can make you feel like lighting up again.
FIND A NO-SMOKING ZONE
Earlier when you smoked you would hunt for a place to smoke but now you should do the opposite. You can find a no-smoking zone and enter it whenever you feel like having a smoke. If the place has other distractions like a football game or music then it will help you get away from smoking.
Good Exercise
A good work out is a powerful distraction tool. When you are active the body sends natural chemicals that help in easing your mood or stress. Walking is the simplest form of exercise. You can choose the right activity to keep you motivated.
You should know if you are getting enough of vitamin B12, since it is vital to stay healthy. Vitamin B12 is one such vitamin that does a lot of things for your body. Mainly vitamin B12 is responsible for making the DNA and the red blood cells of the body. The important aspect is that vitamin B12 is not produced by the body naturally and your body should get if from animal based foods or supplements. The supply of vitamin B12 should be regular again because the body cannot store vitamin B12 by itself for long periods.
How much vitamin B12 is needed?
The quantity of vitamin B12 required by the body for its normal functioning depends on varieties of factors like the age, eating habits, medical conditions and whether you are taking any type of medications etc. Usually babies between the age of 7- 12 months may need 0.5 micrograms of vitamin B12, whereas a child of 9-13 years may need 1.8 mcg and an adult 2.4 mcg.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
It is observed that with age it becomes really harder to absorb vitamins. If you have had a weight loss surgery or any other surgery that reduced your stomach then absorption of vitamin is again impaired. If you drink heavily or if you’ve taken acid- reducing medications for a long time it will cause problem in absorbing vitamins.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is also seen in those with gastritis, where the stomach lining gets thinned. Chronic anaemia is another reason for vitamin B12 deficiency. Conditions that affect small intestine like celiac disease or bacterial growth can affect vitamin B12 absorption. Immune system disorders like lupus can also be a reason. Deficiency occurs when your diet is purely vegan where you don’t eat any animal product or you are a vegetarian and you don’t eat enough of eggs or dairy products to meet your B12 needs.
Pregnancy & B12 Deficiency
A pregnant woman on a vegetarian or vegan diet has to be extra cautious about the required B12 levels. A normal level of B12 is an absolute necessity for an expectant mother and even after delivery if you are breast feeding the infant a healthy level of B12 is required for both your health and the baby’s health. If you lack B12 the bay will have problems in its development and will not grow normally. So, pregnant and lactating mothers have to be extra careful about their levels of vitamin B12.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency
Some of the main symptoms associated with B12 deficiency are weakness, tiredness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, pale skin, constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, nerve problems, muscle weakness, vision loss, mental depression, memory loss and behaviour changes. The person will also show symptoms of being anaemic.
How to prevent B12 deficiency?
You can prevent the onset of B12 deficiency by eating enough meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products. If you restrict or don’t eat animal products you can go in for multivitamin tablets, supplements and foods fortified with vitamin B12. It is always better to consult your doctor before taking any food supplement especially if you are on other medication.