IMPORTANCE OF FACE MASK IN PREVENTING COVID 19

WHO and ICMR recommend that everyone, whether sick or healthy, should wear a face mask, especially where it is difficult to maintain social distancing. Wearing a face mask is all-important because

Coronavirus can spread from even asymptomatic people (those without symptoms) or those who had symptoms previously. A person is most contagious just before symptoms begin.

Here are a few pointers for buying a face-mask and using it.

How does a face-mask work?

If a person who is infected with COVID – 19 coughs, sneezes or talks, they send tiny droplets containing coronavirus into the air.

The face-mask helps cover your mouth and nose acting as a shield to block out the virus-filled droplets present in the air. This helps slow down the spread of COVID – 19.

Does the face-mask protect me?

A cloth face-mask will not block-out the coronavirus. The face-mask is, of course, an added layer of protection for you and the people around you when used along with regular hand washing and social distancing measures.

What are the types of face-masks available?

There are mainly two types of face-masks, one is for frontline health care workers and another one for non-healthcare workers or the common people.

Masks for healthcare workers

The N95 respirators and surgical masks are best suited and should be reserved exclusively for frontline health care workers and first responders. Since these masks are in short supply around the world, they should only go to doctors, nurses and other medical staff who need them most.

N95 respirator masks are those that fit tightly around the face. They can filter out 95% or more of the smallest particles in the air. Care should be taken to see that they fit just right for them to work properly.

Surgical masks are the usual blue and green coloured ones that fit loosely across your nose and mouth. These help shield against larger drops that come directly from the sick person’s cough or sneeze. They don’t filter out all germs and can’t block the tiniest of particles that carry coronavirus.

Masks for non-healthcare workers

Cloth masks are the best option for the general public and non-healthcare workers. Here are a few things to remember when buying handmade cloth masks.

You can always sew a piece of fabric into a face-masks or tie it around your face. It is best suggested to use at least two-layered cloth masks. You can even add a pocket in the front for putting in a filter. Copper wire or ribbon helps to fit the masks on the nose bridge.

You can also use dust masks available in hardware stores. Neoprene masks help stop the droplets and prevent infection. The other option is using a piece of cloth as a scarf wrapped around the face.

A comparison of face-masks

Earloops vs ties

Since you can adjust it, a mask that can be tied behind your head will usually fit well than the one that loops around your ears. But the ties can get tangled up in the wash or when you handle it whereas the loops remain free and easy to use. The looped ones are better in places like hair salons.

Filter vs Non-Filter

When there are a series of layers or folds, it prevents particles from escaping into the air and from entering the nose and mouthparts of a person. The negative aspect is that too many layers can make it difficult to breathe. Select and use a mask that is more comfortable and suited to you so that you keep using it. Check whether the filter material is safe.

Make a No-Sew Face=mask

First, choose a piece of cloth that is square in shape and measures 20 inches on each side. Fold it into half.

Fold the top third down and the bottom third up, so you have a long rectangle.

Slide the rectangle through two rubber bands or elastic hair ties until they’re about 6 inches apart. Tuck the ends together.

Hook elastic over your ears and adjust the fabric, so it fits snugly but it not too tight.

Face-mask materials & rankings

The extensive research has resulted in a proper ranking for the fabrics used:

1. Tea towel in two layers
2. Cotton mix fabric
3. Cotton T-shirt material
4. Antimicrobial pillowcase
5. Scarfs
6. Linen

A tea towel is thicker and so maybe too hard to breathe through in spite of its higher rank.

The best filter materials

Access is most important in times like this, so some household materials that can be used for the filter.

Paper products like coffee filters, paper towels and toilet papers. HEPA filters with multiple layers block small particles almost like N95 masks but have tiny fibres that can get into your nose and mouth. You can also cut up a polypropylene shopping bag, the one that has a fabric-like feel and use it between layers of the mask.

How to buy a face-mask?

When buying an ordinary cloth face mask, enquire whether it has been designed as per the sewing instructions of the health authorities of your region. Look whether the mask has more than one layer of fabric. Make sure you can freely breathe through the material.

Next look for the fit, whether it is comfortable and fits the face well, there should not be gaps around your nose, mouth and chin.

The mask should either have a tie or loops for wearing. It should be easily washable and consistent in its shape even after repeated washing.

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WHAT ARE SCHIZOPHRENIA DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS?

To properly diagnose schizophrenia, a person should exibit at least two of the following symptoms continuously for a month and also show some mental disturbance over a period of six months.

Some symptoms include:

• Delusions (false believes a person won’t give up)
• Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not present)
• Disorganized speech and behaviour
• Coma like dazed situation
• Hyperactive behaviour

 

How to get schizophrenia diagnosed?

First of all you should identify a primary care doctor or a psychiatrist. You can inform the doctor about the patient and what you have observed. Ask the doctor what steps should be taken especially if the patient is not interested in getting treatment.

 

The doctor will usually proceed for a psychological evaluation and a complete medical examination. The doctor will want to know the family history, how the person has been behaving lately and if they were ever hospitalized for any mental condition.

 

The doctor will closely examine the symptoms to rule out other conditions like bipolar disorder etc. and mostly reach a conclusion.

 

Tests for schizophrenia

The tests will start off with a urine and blood test to make sure that alcohol or drug abuse isn’t causing the symptoms.

 

Some other tests, including scans to get an image of the body and brain condition, will also be advised. These tests can be MRI scans or CT scan to help rule out problems like a brain tumour. Certain test to understand the person’s comprehensing capacity like cognitive tests, personality tests and open-ended tests like the inkblot test may also be done.

 

Getting the test done and having the patient diagnosed as early as possible will improve the chances of managing the illness. If proper care and medication is given, including psychotherapy, talk therapy etc. they will gradually improve and do better.

 

Treatment for schizophrenia

Antipsychotics medications:

The medications doctors mostly prescribe are called antipsychotics. These medications are sued for treating symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. The medicines work on the chemicals in the brain, especially dopamine and serotonin.

The medications are prescribed for entire life, even if the symptoms get better. The medications are in the form of liquid, pills or injections.

If it is difficult to administer medicines every day or the patient is unable to remember taking the medicines as prescribed then you can opt to get regular injection done at the doctor’s clinic once or twice a month. These injections are long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication (LAI). It works just as well as a daily medication.

Support for schizophrenia

Unless there is a strong support system, the patient will find it difficult even to carry out a medication plan.

You can be the prime support and learn as much as you can about the condition through one-to-one discussion with your loved one’s doctor. You can also ask friends and family the patient knows to visit and surround the patient with care as and when possible.

When a schizophrenia patient starts a medication, the person will feel better right away. But it may really take 4   to 6 weeks to show any improvement in the occurrence of hallucinations and delusions.

Keep the doctor in the know about the effects of the medication and if its working to its potential. Many times it will take several tries before finding out the medication that works best for the patient.

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TREATING CORNS AND CALLUSES

Constant friction and pressure can damage the skin on your limbs. Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop to protect your skin against the friction and pressure. They either develop on the feet and toes or hands and fingers.

Though they are unsightly, you need to go for treatment only if the corns and calluses cause any sort of pain and discomfort. In some people simply avoiding the cause of friction and pressure will return the skin to normal. If a person has diabetes, then the causes of low blood flow to your feet can lead to complications. People with such problems should consult their doctor before self-medication.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of corns and calluses include development of a thick, rough area on the skin, a hardened raised bump, flaky, dry or waxy skin and tenderness in the area.

Difference between corns and calluses

Corns: Corns are small skin hardenings with a centre surrounded by inflamed skin. Corn can also develop in parts of the feet that don’t bear any weight. They can occur on tops, sides and between the toes. Corns get painful when pressed.

Calluses: Calluses are not generally painful and develop in the soles of your feet. Calluses are seen especially under the heels or balls or on your palms and knees. They vary in size and shape and often larger than corns.

Causes for corns and calluses

There are several reasons for the occurrence of corns and calluses. Wearing ill-fitting shoe cn compress areas of the feet. When footwear is loose, the foot may repeatedly slide and rub against the shoe; the foot may also rub against a seam or stitch   inside the shoe. Wearing shoes or sandals without socks can also cause friction of the feet.

Calluses occur when you play musical instruments or when you repeatedly use hand tools. Risk factor also includes foot deformities like hammer toes and certain bone spurs.

How to prevent corns and calluses

Take care to wear shoes that give plenty of room for your toes to wiggle about and confirm that your toes do not rub or pinch inside the shoe. Use protective coverings or pads in your footwear. It is also best to use padded gloves when using hand tools or cover your hands with tape to prevent it repeatedly have friction with the tool or instrument.

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WHAT IS KAWASAKI DISEASE?

Kawasaki disease is a disease that causes the blood vessels to get inflamed. It is a disease mostly affecting younger children. It is also a leading cause of heart disease in children. The only relief is that it is treatable if detected early and most children recover without any complications.

Causes and risk factors

Inflammations caused by Kawasaki disease can harm the child’s coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart. It also causes damage to lymph nodes, skin and lining of the mouth, nose and throat.

The exact cause for Kawasaki disease is not yet found out but it may be linked to genetics, viruses, bacteria or some sort of chemicals or triggers like irritants. It is not contagious but it affects pockets of a community and is widespread during winter and spring seasons.

Other factorsss causing the disease may be young age, gender (boys are more likely to get the disease) and ethnicity (Asian descent).

Symptoms of Kawasaki

The disease mostly has an acute appearance and symptoms are seen in phases. The phases include:

• I High fever that lasts more than 5 days with no effect even after medication
• I A peeling skin or rashes on the chest, legs and genitals or groin area
• I Swelling with redness on the hands and bottom of the feet
• I Unusual redness of the eyes
• I Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• I Throat, mouth and lips have irritation
• I Pinkish red tongue colour

AS the disease progresses to the second phase, symptoms include joint pain, belly pain, diarhhoea, vomitting and peeling skin on th hands and feet. Kawasaki disease causes heart problems 10 days to two weeks after the symptoms appear.  Then symptoms will start decreasing in the third phase, which can last upto eight weeks.

Diagnosis of Kawasaki

The disease is diagnosed through EKG (electrocardiogram) or ECG (echocardiogram), blood tests and various advanced imaging.

Treatment for Kawasaki 

Usually, the child suffers from excess pain, fever, swelling and skin problems. The doctor will prescribe aspirin and drugs to prevent blood clots. Some immune globulin is  administered. This contains antibodies that help fight any infection.

Complications of Kawasaki

Since the disease causes heart ailments in children, it is a bit scary. Most children do recover from the illness without any problems. In some cases, complications can arise and include:

• Unusual heart rhythms (dysrhythmia)
• Inflamed heart muscles (myocarditis)
• Damaged heart valves (mitral regurgitation)
• Inflammed blood vessel (vasculitis)

All these heart problems can cause other troubles, too, including weak or bulging artery walls called aneurysms. This raises the risk of artery blockages, leading to internal bleeding and heart attacks. An echocardiogram is used to detect these abnormalities.

In severe cases, children may need surgery; in fact infants are at higher risk of serious complications.

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WHAT TO FEED BABIES IN THEIR YEAR 1

At year 1 your baby is just learning to eat on his/her own. They can chew the food as well as you can, which means they can eat the same foods as the rest of the family. Solid food including healthy snacks are your child’s source of energy and nutrition.

You can still continue breastfeeding the baby as much as the child wants. Take care to avoid giving the baby junk foods and soft drinks.

Here is a look at the progression of diet for the baby till year 1.

Start solids at 6 months

This is the accepted period for introducing solid foods to the baby. Before innntroducing solids, its mandatory that your baby should be able to sit up (with support), turn the head away and chew the food. He should also have given up the reflex that makes him spit out anything that goes into the mouth.

Add to breast milk

Usually, babies will not eat a lot of solid foods right away. So we should think of solids as something we add to the baby’s diet. It will not be a replacement for breast milk though. We just introduce solids and not change the baby’s diet entirely or eliminate milk. The change should happen gradually.

Why start with rice cereal?

There is no rules as such that you should start your baby on a particular solid food. You can also avoid cereals completely. But, if you feel comfortable with cereals, then start on a single-grain, iron-fortified infant cereal with a neutral flavour. You can mix it with the formula or milk to get a running consistency. Then you can gradually thicken it, so the baby takes to it.

Start on fruits and vegetables

Your baby’s solids can include fruits, vegetables, grains and even pureed meats. Take care to introduce any of these one at a time. This is to observe how the baby reacts to the flavours and if it causes any allergies. The baby may not eat them at first, but keep trying. Use softened or pureed food and put enough on the spoon for the baby to swallow easily. Don’t try to force-feed when the baby refuses  to eat, take it slow and your baby will soon start eating solid food.

Cut out milk and honey

According to paediatricians, you should wait till your baby’s first birthday to offer cow’s milk. Since it can not compare to mother’s milk or have the nutritional value of some other formulas. Best not give honey too since it can cause botulism in babies whose immune system cannot fend it off.

Stop when baby stops

Your baby has a way of telling you when its done eating. The baby will swat at the spoon, turn the head away, zip its lips or spit the contents from its mouth, and finally the baby will cry too. Don’t try to force-feed since the baby knows when it’s full. Honouring their instincts will help the baby avoid overeating as they grow older.

Try some finger foods

At about 9 months, the baby will be able to reach for and pick-up small pieces of table food to eat. Some great finger foods for the baby include ripe banana pieces, cooked carrots, cottage cheese, cooked pasta, cereals and scrambled eggs. Avoid placing hard candy, chips, raw vegetables, dry fruits, hard cheese and sausages etc.   near the child.

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