Health-&-Fitness
Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain: Common symptoms, reasons, solutions
Breastfeeding is the most natural and valuable thing a mother can do for her baby. It provides all the nutrition and antibodies that a newborn needs for healthy growth and development. A baby is supposed to gain weight naturally if it is properly breastfed by the mother. However, in many cases, the breastfed infants gain weight more slowly than they should. We are here with possible reasons for breastfed babies' slow weight gain with ultimate solutions.
Symptoms of Poor Weight Gain in Babies
The most common symptoms of slow weight gain are as follows:The most apparent symptoms of slow weight gain are size, weight and height of their head. When your child is not getting enough calories, you may notice the following symptoms:-lost interest in the things around them-extreme sleepiness-frequent crying and fussiness-missed physical milestones like not rolling over, sitting up or walking at the same time as other kids their age.
Read Why Self Care of Moms is Important: Tips for busy mothers
Typical Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies
Naturally, babies grow at their own pace, but baby weight gain generally follows a fairly consistent pattern. Usually breastfed newborns can lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first five days of life. Next 10 days to two weeks old, they should regain the weight they lost. For the next three months, breastfed babies gain about an ounce a day.
10 Common Reasons for Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain
The possible reasons are as follows for the slow weight gain of your breastfed infant:
Poor Latch
A good latch allows your child to take breast milk from your breast without getting tired and frustrated. When your baby is not latching on correctly or is latching on to just your nipple, they won't be able to remove breast milk very well. Remember, both you and your baby can contribute to a successful latch. Ensure your baby is latching on deeply.
To breastfeed well, make sure the lower part of your areola must be in your baby’s mouth. You can contact a lactation consultant to rule out any issues, such as a tongue tie or lip tie if you’re struggling to get a good latch.
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Infrequent Breastfeeding
Breastfeed your newborn at least every two to four hours for the first six to eight weeks. If they want to breastfeed more, put them back to the breast. Frequent breastfeeding helps your baby grow quickly and gain weight naturally.
Short Nursing Sessions
Newborns should breastfeed for about eight to ten minutes on each side. But if your baby does not do so, you need to monitor this issue. Without proper nursing, your breastfed baby loses weight.
Pain or Discomfort
If your baby feels discomfort due to any birth injury or infection, they may not breastfeed well, and therefore may be gaining weight slowly.
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Delayed Breast Milk Supply
Some mothers experience a delay in the onset of breast milk production whereas others have chronic low milk supply. If you experience any of these problems, your child does not get the amount of milk they need when breastfeeding. However, these can be temporary problems.
Being Born Prematurely
When a baby is born before 37 weeks, it may not have the necessary strength or energy to breastfeed as much as time to get all the breast milk they need. They are also sleepy and have medical issues which can make breastfeeding difficult for them. When time goes on like this-they cannot take as much breast milk as they require, and they cannot gain weight.
Not Taking Enough Calories
Healthy and full-term babies typically breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours. But as your newborn can be sleepy, it cannot breastfeed frequently. So, your baby does not get the required calories. Due to a lack of calories, your baby may not gain weight.
Read How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy
Paediatricians suggest you start solids after 6 months of your baby. However, if your baby does not take breast milk along with solid foods, it does not get the majority of its calories.
Not Absorbing the Calories
Some babies may take in enough calories — but not absorb them. They don’t absorb calories because of Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). Infants with reflux most often vomit after feedings and lose some of the milk from feeding. Besides, the acid from the reflux can irritate their throat and oesophagus and make it painful to breastfeed.
Besides, some babies have a food allergy. If your baby has a food allergy, it doesn’t like to take breastmilk and if they cannot absorb the calories. So, they cannot gain weight.
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Newborns with jaundice become very sleepy and not interested in breastfeeding. They may not gain weight or they may even lose weight, especially if they have diarrhoea or are vomiting.
They’re Burning Too Many Calories
Some babies burn calories because of their frequent movement. Babies with breathing difficulties need more calories as they need to make up for the extra effort to promote tissue growth. A study has shown that babies with some heart diseases need forty per cent more energy
Neurological Issues
Neurological problems like Down syndrome can hinder a baby's ability to latch and nurse properly and ultimately talk breastmilk correctly.
Read Learning Disabilities in Children: Types, symptoms, ways to help
Managing Poor Weight Gain Issue of the Breastfed Babies
If you are concerned about your child's weight gain, it is essential to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The doctor will examine and suggest strategies that may work best for you and your child. Some preventive measures are as follows:
Check Your Child’s Latch
Check your baby is latching on to your breasts properly. Consult your paediatrician or a local breastfeeding support group if you feel your baby does not latch correctly.
Breastfeed Often
Nurse your baby every two to three hours and let it breastfeed frequently. Breastfed it whenever they show signs of hunger. Breast milk is easily digested, so breastfed babies need to eat more.
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Avoid Pacifiers
If your baby is habituated to a pacifier, it won't get much breast milk. A pacifier makes your baby tired so they may not like when they get to the breast. So, avoid pacifiers to make your baby gain weight by nursing breastmilk.
Keep Your Baby Awake
Keep your baby actively breastfeeding. Let your sleepy newborns awake by tickling their feet, changing their diapers, burping them, or using the switch nursing technique.
Address Supply Issues
If there is a problem with your breast milk supply, take steps to increase your milk production. Take milk-boosting foods to your meals. Besides, you can take breastfeeding herbs or teas.
Consider Supplementing
Give your baby a supplement if your doctor suggests additional feedings. You can also try hindmilk which is higher in fat and calories and help your baby gain more weight.
Read Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability
Monitoring their growth curve
Your paediatrician will use growth charts that are standard. If you feel your baby's growth curve is okay, don't worry.
Monitoring their calorie intake
Make sure your baby takes the required calories they need.
Bottom Line
Poor Weight gain of Breastfed infants is a common problem nowadays. Naturally, every baby has its own growth curve. If your baby shows the symptoms of slow weight gain, try to find the reasons. You can follow the above-mentioned steps to assure that the baby is breastfed in a proper way and getting enough calories to continue its natural growth. Consult your healthcare provider to maintain their suggestions. Hopefully, you will get a positive result within a short time.
Read How to Keep Kids Well During Flu Season
Why Self Care of Moms is Important: Tips for busy mothers
To be a mother is the most exciting and exhausting job in the world. A mother is responsible for the life of someone else. You love your kids and always try to give them the best chance to go out into the world and succeed. Most of the time you neglect yourself; you are not careful about your health although you need to nurture yourself before you can care for your children. Check here for some tips on why moms must take care of themselves.
Why should a mother take care of herself first?
If you care for yourself first, you’re caring for your family. This is true in many ways:
Self-compassion
As a mom, you can set good examples for your children. If a parent is constantly complaining and putting themselves down, the children will emulate these behaviours. It's important to be grateful for the little things in life and have self-compassion.
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When you care for yourself, you are relaxing and doing the most important things for your kids and family. You must want to raise humble, helpful, self-less kids. To make your kids extra-ordinary, your calm and quietness are very necessary.
Besides, you need to teach your kids to keep boundaries which helps them protect themselves. You always want your kids to be strong and have a great sense of self. From you, your child will learn how to say “no” to things that don’t serve them when they will grow up. So, when you prioritise self-care, you are being a GREAT parent and model to your kids.
The best version of yourself
Self-care is a buzzword in the wellness industry that helps you to be the best version of yourself. But what does it actually mean? Self-care is about taking care of yourself, by doing things that make you feel good and more relaxed. It’s about setting limits, being kind to yourself, and putting emphasis on your needs.
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Some people have self-care routines that they do every day, like morning meditation or evening yoga class. Others might have self-care routines that they do when they need them the most, like after a long day at work or when they are feeling really anxious.
Self-care means giving yourself permission to stop working after hours. Besides, self-care refers to going home without finishing everything on your to-do list. Actually, it means taking time for yourself.
Optimises your body for handling stress
Self-care is about making time for things that make you feel tranquil, happy, and healthy. It's a way of looking after yourself and your wellbeing. Stress can be reduced with simple self-care practices such as meditation or mindfulness exercises, spending time in nature or taking a break to meditate by going for a walk in the park.
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Make you patient
If you rest well and have had time to put focus on your own needs, you have more patience for others. Self-care helps to take sound sleep that ultimately blesses you with an excellent morning to keep continuing with your kids and family.
Self-care makes your patience level higher and helps you to cope with the stress of the meltdown. You don't feel anything overwhelming and that makes the day go smoothly and patiently.
Positivity
Too much workload makes you negative. Self-care is a practice that can be applied to many aspects of life. It is about taking time for yourself and focusing on your needs. The benefits of self-care are not just physical, but mental as well. When you take care of yourself, you have a better outlook on life and are more likely to be happy and content.
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Self-care is important because it helps you maintain a positive mentality. A positive mentality will help you do your job better, which in turn will make your work environment more enjoyable and your kids have a happy, more positive mommy than a bad-tempered, moody one.
Power
Self-care is a process that helps a person take care of their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It can be defined as the act of taking care of oneself in order to live a healthy and productive life.
The idea behind self-care is to take time for oneself in order to reduce stress and improve one's physical health. In other words, it is about making time for yourself so you can feel good about yourself and your life.
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12 tips for busy moms to take care of themselves
Taking care of your body is an excellent way to start. Here are some tips for you to take care of yourself along with maintaining your family and rearing children properly:
Eat healthy
Naturally, you wish to get back your pre-baby shape, but your body needs extra calories and nutrients when you are breastfeeding. If you are not breastfeeding, you should take healthy foods as you have to run all the time to your lovely kids and family as well. So, be gentle with yourself and focus on eating wholesome food.
Drink enough water
It is mandatory to keep you hydrated. But most mothers are so busy that they forget to drink sufficient water. You can add lemon or cucumber slices to your water to add some variety. Make sure you carry a water bottle with you always.
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Get enough sleep
Sound and uninterrupted sleep are necessary to make you relaxed. Try to sync your sleep to your baby’s. You can install an app which provides a circling sound to help you fall asleep faster. Besides, you can use a comfortable sleep bra with easy nursing access.
Focus on your physical health
You can feel refreshed by getting your blood pumping and going outside. Pick the right things for your fitness level.
-Take a walk around the block.
-Stretch or do some yoga.
-Go out with your bike for a spin.
-Take for a fun run.
-Spend time taking care of your garden.
Read Work From Home Job Ideas for Mothers, Fathers
Take care of your emotional health
Avoid wishing more
Many mothers feel depressed for not getting what they wished for from husbands, family members and children. Some working moms get disappointed due to their own performances in the workplaces or business sectors. While some moms get frustrated due to the insufficient income of the family or other issues. Those fulfillments might lead to anxieties, depression and other mental health issues.
Embrace where you are
Every person has some limitations whether it is your child or partner. Due to diverse issues the financial condition of the family may face ups and downs. Life is short but challenging. Take it easy. So, instead of wishing more, appreciate what you already have and make the most of every moment. Accept challenges, and try to take life positively. Encourage yourself and your family members to solve problems in peaceful ways.
Take counselling if necessary
If you are a mother, naturally, you have to live in the midst of dirty laundry, food prep, smelly diapers, children’s fighting over toys and lack of sleep. These things can ruin the mental health of the mother. Many mothers fall into postpartum depression. If you are going through such problems take counselling.
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Be grateful
Be grateful for your blessings. Gratitude is an awesome way to express your feelings and thoughts about life.
Give yourself ‘Me’ time
Obviously, your children are the centre of your world, but you need a break from them. Your ‘me’ time can be very simple like locking the bathroom door for some time to take a fresh bath. You can also save some time from your busy schedule to do something you love like reading a novel, watching a TV show or gardening. Besides, it can be meeting old friends or going away for a weekend trip.
Boost your brain
If you are a stay-at-home mom, try to do something creative, mind refreshing and interesting things in your free time. It will divert your mind from the daily routine. You can do things like
-Writing a blog or journal.
-Sketching something you love or picking up a colouring book.
-Meditate.
-Reading a good book.
-Doing a crossword puzzle.
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Stop feeling guilty
People generally link their successes or products to their self-worth. Mothers tend to feel guilty for many reasons.
Many homemakers or stay-at-home moms suffer from guilt or inferiority complex for not contributing to your family financially. On the other hand, working moms feel guilt for not giving much time to their children after long office hours. But in both cases, mothers are doing their best to help their family and children. So they should appreciate their contribution and feel blessed.
When a mother spends free time, she sometimes feels guilty, even if it is a much-needed relaxation. But you should remember that sometimes wasting time is also productive as it will give you more strength and energy to start again.
Read Work from Home Business Ideas for Moms, Housewives in Bangladesh
Sharpen your skills
Though you are a mother, you can make yourself skillful in certain niches, like cooking, baking, writing, gardening, singing, dancing, etc. You can also take a professional course which will enrich your career. It will not only give you mental satisfaction but also improve your emotional health.
You can enhance your skills in diverse sectors. Such as,
-Improve your cooking skill by trying new and distinct recipes.
-Take a painting, drawing or singing class.
-Start your loving dance again
-Take a course on computer programming.
Read 7 Ways to Become a Genuine Expert in Your Chosen Field
Stay organised
A mother has unlimited tasks at home. The best thing to stay organised is to keep a planner or list of upcoming works for yourself and your family. Avoid stress from unexpected tasks. Divide your activities according to their importance and do them accordingly.
If you are a working mom or have a large family, it would be a nice idea to share some chores with your partner, teenage children and other family members. Thus, you can manage the responsibilities in an organised way.
Friend's time
Unlike fathers, the mothers hardly get rare chances to spend time with their friends. Still they have to try to manage time for friends. You can try the following things.
-Having lunch at a new restaurant with a bosom friend.
-Enjoying tea time with friends.
-Go shopping.
-Volunteer with a friend.
-Join a book club or moms group.
Read Overcoming Study Gap: How to Start Studying after a Long Break
Bottom Line
The actual parts of self-care are to be realistic and firm. When your schedule is restless and chaotic, it would not be possible for you to be realistic and focus on self-care activities. So, start small with reachable expectations and fulfil those expectations to feel relaxed and complete.
Remember your health and well-being affect the entire family. If you are not well to take care of your child and family, the whole family will suffer. When you integrate self-care into your regular routine, you will become an amazing caregiver. Our tips will help you to incorporate everything easily and properly.
So far, we have discussed why a mother should take care of herself. We have also shared some tips for busy moms to take care of themselves. Hope it helps!
Read Digital Addiction of Children: How can parents get kids off screens?
10 Best Personal Training Certifications to Ace in Fitness Career
If you are looking for a career in the fitness industry, then you will want to consider becoming certified. Certified trainers have more experience and knowledge than those without certification and can help you achieve your fitness goals more quickly. However, if you want proper certification, you will have to take certification courses from neighboring countries or first-world countries, as there are not any reliable certification courses in Bangladesh. Here are some of the most respected personal training certification programs.
Top 10 personal training certification programs in 2022
Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute Advanced Personal Training
Gold's Gym Fitness Institute Advanced Personal Training is the perfect option for those looking to get trained. With experienced trainers on hand, you can learn how to lead someone to achieve their fitness goals. These experts have you covered from cardio and strength training to nutrition and injury rehabilitation.
You can take the course both online and offline. Offline courses are available in different locations in India. This 4-month-long course will help you to step into a personal training career. After the training, you will be eligible to get Skill India Government Certification.
Read How to Become a Certified Fitness Instructor?
Diploma In Personal Training (DPT) By K11 School of Fitness Sciences
The DPT course is the first individual training course in Exercise Science that provides theoretical and practical instruction, equipping students with everything from the necessary knowledge to specialized tools and strategies needed to become Qualified, Certified Personal trainers in the fitness industry.
The course contains 51 theory and 25 practical classes. Total learning hours will be 283 hours. So, you can expect to finish the course in several months. Nevertheless, you will have to sit for theory and practical examinations to complete the course module.
Certified Personal Trainer by Integrated Fitness Sports Institute
The mission of this Certified Personal Trainer Course is to prepare students to practice and work as a freelance, full-time, part-time, or even online professional personal trainers locally and abroad. It is an international course. Hence, the certificate holder can work in 37 European countries.
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This course follows the concepts of fitness classes and coach development. It includes theories and practice sessions that assist you in building a strong foundation in the fitness business. Also, covers all the intricate facets of the Personal Trainer Job profile that can make you job-ready and enhance the knowledge base that can assist you in meeting the requirements of your clients. The course duration is 6 months.
Level 4 Personal Trainer by JLO Fitness Institute
Level 4 Personal Trainer certification is designed for trainers who have a minimum of 1-year experience and are looking to take their training to the next level. The program covers sport-specific techniques, injury prevention, nutrition, and weight management, as well as stress management. Completion of the Level 4 certification earns trainers a certificate that will help to hone their careers. It is a two month long course.
Certified Personal Trainer by the National Institute of Fitness Studies (NIFS)
NIFS has been providing certification and has become one of the leading certifying organizations. Certified Personal Trainer courses can help people achieve their learning goals while also working on developing their physical goals. They provide intensive education and training and have achieved specialty certification in specific areas such as weight loss, cardio training, and more. It is an offline-based three months course.
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Certificate in Personal Training by Fitness Cravers
It is a level 5 certificate from Fitness Cravers that provides a comprehensive education in the art of personal fitness. Moreover, it will teach you everything you need to start your own personal training business. This program will take you from beginner to intermediate level, and finally to advanced.
The curriculum is designed to cover all the important topics in personal training, such as anatomy and physiology, exercise selection, program design, exercise technique, and nutrition. The course is available in both Hindi and English. You will have to take 21 lessons which are around 61 hours in two months.
Personal Trainer Certification by ACE Fitness
The ACE Personal Trainer Study Program has everything you need to get started. With this program, you will learn about the basics of exercise science, how to design effective programs for clients, and how to assess their progress. Plus, our online course is interactive and easy to follow.
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You will learn how to assess individual capabilities, monitor progress, modify exercises, and provide proper encouragement. With this knowledge, you will be able to help your clients reach their fitness goals. It is an online course, and they have several course modules you can try.
Certified Personal Trainer by ISSA
If you are looking for an online program that can help you become certified as a personal trainer, ISSA has just what you need. The Certified Personal Trainer program is comprehensive, covering everything from anatomy and physiology to exercise technique and safety.
After completing the program, you'll be able to help others reach their fitness goals safely and effectively. You will get the CPR Course free with this personal trainer course. You can subscribe to different course plans according to your level.
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Personal Training Program by National Academy of Sports Medicine
The National Academy of Sports Medicine offers accredited certification in six sections: Professional Development and Responsibility, Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching, Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts, Assessment, Exercise Technique, Training Instruction, and Program Design.
They also offer accredited certification in 23 in-depth chapters that include audio summaries and 200 exercise demonstrations. As everything is online, you will get 180 days to pass the NCCA exam and become a certified professional trainer.
Certified Personal Trainer by Fit n Met
Fit n Met’s program is designed to teach you everything you need to start your own personal training business. They provide all the resources you need to succeed, and instructors are experienced professionals who will help you learn everything there is to know about personal training. Fit n Met training will take three months to complete.
Read How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy
Final Words
So far, we have discussed the 10 most valuable personal training certification programs. If you are looking for a certification that will help you to stand out in the personal training field, obtaining a certification from one of the ten accredited organizations listed below is a good option. Each has unique requirements and benefits, so be sure to investigate each one thoroughly before making a decision.
Should You See a Therapist? 8 Surefire Signs You Need Help
Mental health is a sophisticated issue that doesn’t get talked about as often as other, more visible health issues. However, it still affects a person and the consequences can be far more aggravating. Mental health issues may arise from several underlying factors. Whether it’s the inability to cope with something, stress, or even PTSD, the signs are almost always there. Yet it's often dismissed as something that will heal over time. But the fact of the matter is, time doesn’t heal, therapy does. Let’s discuss when to see a therapist.
8 Sure Signs You Need To See a Therapist
Getting overwhelmed the Surrounding
Do you often get overwhelmed by your surroundings? If yes, this is one of the earliest signs of declining mental health. The sense of overwhelming stress arises from stress. Say you are a student or a professional. The exam or the workplace activities might feel increasingly overwhelming. A crippling fear of consequences sets and you feel the constant urge to run away from everything.
The sense of detachment is created from the extreme stress or less than your brain is coping with. This specific problem not only has a short-term consequence but also tends to reduce cognitive emotions in the long run. Therapy can help overcome the stress or trauma by the means of dealing with a single issue at a time.
Read: How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy
Disrupted sleep cycle
A disrupted sleep cycle can also prompt mental health issues. Too much sleep or lack of it is a clear sign that the body and the mind aren’t in sync.
A study conducted in 2018 shows that sleeplessness or oversleeping tendencies induce mood swings and depression among the participants. A continuous sleepless habit may be a sign of anxiety, ADHD, or even bipolar disorder which might lead to other complications.
Many people opt for sleeping pills as a cure. But that isn’t the right approach. A proper therapy will help to identify the underlying cause behind the sleeplessness and work to find a solution without medical interventions.
Read Discomfort Anxiety v Depression: Differences, Ways of Prevention
Reduced social interactions
Do you feel like shutting yourself out from everyone? One of the clear signs of mental health problems is the tendency to shy away from social interaction, friends,p and even relationships. If you feel like distancing yourself from stuff, chances are you are going through the mental issue of social isolation. And like a lot of other symptoms, it also poses a serious threat in the long run, not just mentally, but physically too.
Social isolation mainly crops from anxiety and depression. But instead of curing any of the issues, social isolation only aggravates the problem. Therapy can help in the process of social reintegration.
Perpetual anxiety
The thing about anxiety attacks is that you can tell when it's happening. But the worst part is, that you cannot control when it happens or why it happens. People suffering from anxiety can get triggered by anything.
Read: Eating Disorders in Children, Adolescents, Adults: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
The lack of control over the situation is why it's important to get therapy. As the situation with anxiety aggravates, you will see that you are consumed more and more with bad thoughts with seemingly no way out. This is when you know that you must seek therapy. Therapy will steadily divert your mind from negative thoughts and usher new and positive horizons.
Careless attitude
This is one of the most prominent symptoms of clinical depression. As human beings, we are driven by a higher purpose in life. There is constant social pressure and even personal goals to achieve or do something with this life.
This notion of achievement may often become stringent on many. The social and family pressure may often become unbearable leading to clinical depression. An aggravated form of depression may also lead to self-harm.
Read: Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability
The best way to identify the issue is by looking at the pattern of behavior. If you yourself find to be disinterested in everyday things. Trying to run away from responsibilities and an overall sense of detachment is also a sign of clinical depression. Taking regular counsel and therapy is useful against clinical depression in different studies.
Feeling of hopeless
Feeling hopeless is also a sign of clinical depression. Except it leads to a far more severe consequence compared to a careless attitude.
The sense of hopelessness is an advanced form of clinical depression. Here a person loses interest in everything and finds themselves feeling hollow from within. Many a time, the sense of hopelessness leads to self-harm and even suicidal tendencies.
Read Suicide Prevention: How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts?
Problem concentrating
If you think you’re having trouble concentrating on something, chances are you might be showing early signs of mental health problems. It’s not uncommon to feel inattentive for a day or two at work.
But when it lasts for days or weeks at a stretch, it’s a sign that something is off. The lack of concentration not only hurts the professional life but also takes a toll on the personal and social life. It all encircles on the similar problem of feeling reclusive and disjointed over and over again.
Irregular eating habit
This is also an early indicator of clinical depression. Irregular eating habits advance to become an eating disorder in the long run.
Read How to Overcome Depression Without Medication?
Due to an eating disorder, a person may either gain or lose weight significantly. In addition to the health risks, it also makes a person emotionally vulnerable and people go through it as a coping mechanism.
The only way out of an eating disorder is through therapy. Since the situation is conducive to a coping mechanism, the mind needs to be diverted away from the anxiety as a possible cure.
Final Words
Therefore, in our regular life, mental health issues and clinical depressions should not be overlooked. It makes a person emotionally and socially vulnerable. The inability to address or share the problem only advances the symptoms. That in turn pushes a person more towards self-harm and reclusive behavior. So far, we have discussed 8 sure-fire signs that you or your loved one should seek therapy immediately.
Read Protecting Your Child’s Mental Health: 10 Tips for Parents
Numerous studies have concluded that psychotherapy is a proven way to address physical and mental ailments since most mental issues tend to reflect on physical well-being as well. That said, do not sit on the symptoms. Get help for your own sake and the sake of your loved ones.
Even simple exercise may help aging brain, study hints
New research hints that even a simple exercise routine just might help older Americans with mild memory problems.
Doctors have long advised physical activity to help keep a healthy brain fit. But the government-funded study marks the longest test of whether exercise makes any difference once memory starts to slide — research performed amid a pandemic that added isolation to the list of risks to participants’ brain health.
Researchers recruited about 300 sedentary older adults with hard-to-spot memory changes called mild cognitive impairment or MCI -- a condition that’s sometimes, but not always, a precursor to Alzheimer’s. Half were assigned aerobic exercises and the rest stretching-and-balance moves that only modestly raised their heart rate.
Another key component: Participants in both groups were showered with attention by trainers who worked with them at YMCAs around the country -- and when COVID-19 shut down gyms, helped them keep moving at home via video calls.
Read: How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy
After a year, cognitive testing showed overall neither group had worsened, said lead researcher Laura Baker, a neuroscientist at Wake Forest School of Medicine. Nor did brain scans show the shrinkage that accompanies worsening memory problems, she said.
By comparison, similar MCI patients in another long-term study of brain health -- but without exercise -- experienced significant cognitive decline over a year.
Those early findings are surprising, and the National Institute on Aging cautioned that tracking non-exercisers in the same study would have offered better proof.
But the results suggest “this is doable for everybody” -- not just seniors healthy enough to work up a hard sweat, said Baker, who presented the data Tuesday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. ”Exercise needs to be part of the prevention strategies” for at-risk seniors.
Previous research has found regular physical activity of any sort may reduce damaging inflammation and increase blood flow to the brain, said Alzheimer’s Association chief scientific officer Maria Carrillo.
But the new study is especially intriguing because the pandemic hit halfway through, leaving already vulnerable seniors socially isolated -- something long known to increase people’s risk of memory problems, Carrillo said.
It’s a frustrating time for dementia research. Doctors are hesitant to prescribe a high-priced new drug called Aduhelm that was supposed to be the first to slow progression of Alzheimer’s -- but it’s not yet clear if it really helps patients. Researchers last month reported another drug that works similarly -- by targeting amyloid plaques that are an Alzheimer’s hallmark -- failed in a key study.
While amyloid clearly plays a role, it’s important that drugmakers increasingly are targeting many other factors that can lead to dementia, Carrillo said, because effective treatment or prevention likely will require a combination of customized strategies.
Read: Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability
One example of a new approach: Sometimes in dementia, the brain has trouble processing blood sugar and fats for the energy it needs, John Didsbury of T3D Therapeutics told the Alzheimer’s meeting. His company is testing a pill that aims to rev up that metabolism, with results expected next year.
Meanwhile, there’s growing urgency to settle whether steps people could take today -- like exercise -- might offer at least some protection.
How much and what kind of exercise? In Baker’s study, seniors were supposed to get moving for 30 to 45 minutes four times a week, whether it was on a vigorous turn on the treadmill or the stretching exercises. That’s a big ask of anyone who’s sedentary, but Baker said MCI’s effects on the brain make it even harder for people to plan and stick with the new activity.
Hence the social stimulation — which she credited with each participant completing over 100 hours of exercise. Baker suspects that sheer volume might explain why even the simple stretching added up to an apparent benefit. Participants were supposed to exercise without formal support for an additional six months, data Baker hasn’t yet analyzed.
“We wouldn’t have done the exercise on our own,” said retired agriculture researcher Doug Maxwell of Verona, Wisconsin, who joined the study with his wife.
The duo, both 81, were both assigned to the stretching classes. They felt so good afterward that when the study ended, they bought electric bikes in hopes of even more activity -- efforts Maxwell acknowledged are hard to keep up.
Next up: Baker is leading an even larger study of older adults to see if adding exercise to other can’t-hurt steps such as a heart-healthy diet, brain games and social stimulation together may reduce the risk of dementia.
How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, it is important to stay healthy and active. This is the time when you need to take care of both your body and baby. But how much should you be active? It basically depends on what your doctor recommends. Keep scrolling to know some practical and effective ways to stay active during your pregnancy period.
Benefits of Staying Active during Pregnancy
When a foetus develops inside a woman's womb or uterus, this period is called pregnancy. It generally lasts about 40 weeks or 9 months. This period is measured from the last menstrual time to delivery. According to health care providers, pregnancy has three segments that are called trimesters. Let’s checkout why it is essential to stay physically active during the months of pregnancy.
Importance of Increasing Blood Flow in Early Pregnancy
The first trimester is a time of rapid physical changes in the body and baby. One of these changes is increased blood flow to the uterus. This increased blood flow is important for establishing a healthy pregnancy. Some risk factors that may interfere with this healthy increase in blood flow are:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
To prevent these health concerns the pregnant mother should stay active.
Read Postpartum Depression, Mood Swings: How can new moms deal with these issues?
Importance of Physical Activity during Pregnancy
Some benefits of being active through exercises and healthy diet are as follows:
- Prenatal fitness is essential to confirm the long-term health of your baby.
- Your baby may grow up smarter
- Prepare your baby for the demands of labour
- You don't gain unnecessary weight
- Boost mood
- Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
- Prep to push
- Reduce aches and pains
- May reduce prevalence of diastasis recti
- Get things “moving”
- Put a pep in your step
- You will be a fit mom
- You’ll feel more confident & fresh
- You may experience a shorter labour
- You’re less likely to experience swelling
- May help with morning sickness
- With the accomplishment of something will positively affect other areas of your life
- May reduce premature Birth
- Keep your blood sugar levels normal
- You’ll be able to control your body more
- Fight off germs and boost immunity.
Read Postpartum Weight Loss: How to lose baby weight fast after pregnancy
10 Best Tips for Staying Active and Healthy during Pregnancy
Let’s find out how to stay healthy and active during your pregnancy period.
Get enough sleep
Sleeping is not just for the sake of feeling refreshed and rested in the morning. It is a necessary component of your health and productivity, which should be factored into your daily schedule.
Eat healthy food
Eating healthy, nutritious and light food can lead to a more active lifestyle. Eating a diet high in protein, vegetables and fruit can give you the energy you need to get through your day. A diet low in fat and processed foods will lower risk of disease and promote weight loss.
Read Pregnancy Care Tips for Summer: How can pregnant mothers beat the heat?
Exercise three times a week
Many people are struggling with a lack of time and motivation to exercise. With the introduction of high-tech fitness trackers and wearable technology, people can now monitor their activity levels 24/7. This data can be used to create personalized workout routines that suit an individual's needs.
Drink plenty of water every day
Drinking plenty of water every day is an essential part of a healthy pregnancy. It's important to stay active and hydrated to prevent common pregnancy symptoms like nausea, headaches, and constipation. A pregnant woman's body needs more fluids than usual because it's working hard to keep the mother and baby healthy.
Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol are not only harmful to the mother but they have a detrimental effect on the growing foetus. The risk of miscarriage increases as does birth defects. There is also a chance that the baby will end up with an addiction to caffeine or alcohol.
Read Pregnancy Anxiety? How to reduce the stress of pregnant mothers?
Take prenatal vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are crucial to the healthy development of a baby. However, they also benefit mom in many ways. For example, they can help mom maintain her energy levels and keep her mood stable. They can also reduce the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and neural tube defects.
Take medications recommended by your doctor
Medication is a necessary part of someone's healthcare - but it can be difficult to remember what each medication does, and how it interacts with other medications. This article contains a list of medications and side effects that may help you stay on top of your meds.
Stay away from sick people
People who are sick or have been recently sick can cause the flu to spread. Never shake hands with them, sit next to them on public transportation, or let them enter your home. If you have already been infected, stay away from other people for at least 24 hours after your fever has disappeared.
Read 10 Post- Pregnancy Skincare Tips: Get Your Glow Back
Wear loose clothing and avoid high heels
Wearing tight clothing or heels can cause back and neck pain. Wearing loose clothing that is comfortable to move around in will help you maintain your posture and avoid these pains.
Stay away from smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for many diseases and health issues. Just like smoking, vaping releases harmful chemicals into the air that are toxic to humans. Studies are showing these chemicals can enter the bloodstream or be inhaled by bystanders, which may cause adverse health effects.
Cautions
Pregnant women should take care to move around and exercise as much as possible. If you won't be active during your pregnancy, the foetus is not developed enough to provide its own warmth, and the mother's body temperature can drop to dangerous levels. However, you should also avoid standing for long periods of time, which can cause your blood flow to slow down and circulation to decrease.
Read Effects of Air Pollution on Unborn Children, Neonates, Infants
The pregnant woman's body needs more oxygen than usual, so she should make sure that she breathes deeply and is always active.
Bottom Line
If you are pregnant and active, then congratulations! You are doing a great job and your baby will love the benefits too! Staying physically active during pregnancy can help you to stay in shape and can help you to have a healthy pregnancy as well. Besides, staying active can even make labour easier. However, make sure you consult your doctor before starting any new activities to get a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Eating Disorders in Children, Adolescents, Adults: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that have to do with the way an individual eats. Nowadays, various types of eating disorders are affecting numerous people, ranging from children to adults. An eating disorder is not just about food and weight; it's also about how someone feels about themselves and their body image. Here are the common causes, symptoms and ways to help each type.
How Common are Eating Disorders in Kids, Teenagers, Adults?
Eating disorders are more common than people may realise. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, one in every 20 adolescents has an eating disorder, and one in every five adults has an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are generally more common in women than men and most prevalent among people between the age of 12 to 25.
Childhood eating disorders are more common. Eating disorders in teens are also on the rise.
Read Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability
Common Signs, Causes, Risks of Eating Disorders
The signs of an eating disorder can be physical or behavioural, but most often, there is a combination of both. Some common signs that someone may have an eating disorder include missing meals or periods of fasting, feeling guilty or ashamed after eating or using laxatives to control weight.
The causes of these disorders are not yet fully understood, but there is evidence showing that genetics play a significant role in developing these diseases. It can be caused by several different factors, including genetics, peer pressure, bullying and family issues.
The adults may suffer from eating disorders due to harsh diets or strict weight loss dieting programs. Besides these, tensions and pressures in professional and family life can lead to eating disorders.
If an individual suffers from eating disorders for a long time, it can lead to physical problems, such as heart disease, kidney failure and many other serious health concerns.
Read How to Control Your Meat Addiction?
6 Common types of Eating Disorders in Children, Adolescents, Adults
Eating disorders in people of different ages are on the rise and can take many forms. Some of the common types are as follow:
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by abnormal weight loss or low body weight, a distorted body image and extreme fear of gaining weight.
Causes:
The causes of anorexia nervosa are not entirely understood, but it is believed to involve biological, psychological and social factors.
Common symptoms:
-A persistent fear of gaining weight
-Distorted body image
-Extremely restricted eating patterns that typically lead to severely low body weight
-High levels of physical activity to prevent weight gain
-Excessive dieting leads to the person becoming underweight
-Amenorrhea (missing three or more menstrual periods in a row) or irregular menstrual periods
Ways to help:
There are many ways to help people with Anorexia Nervosa. Some of these include:
-Encourage the person to eat three meals daily, with one snack in between meals if needed.
-Focus on quality but not only quantity when it comes to food choices.
-Avoid triggering foods that may be linked to causing the disorder, such as sweets, high-calorie foods and high-fat foods.
Read Heat Stroke Prevention: Best foods, drinks to avoid heat exhaustion
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviours to prevent weight gain.
Causes:
There are many causes and symptoms of bulimia nervosa, which can vary from person to person. Some common causes are depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, or body image concerns.
Key symptoms:
Binge-eating episodes:
The person eats large quantities of food in a short period, with no regard for their health or weight. This disorder can happen at any time, but it most often occurs when the person is feeling stressed or low in self-esteem.
Purging episodes:
The person will try to get rid themselves of the calories they have eaten through vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics and enemas. They may also fast or exercise excessively to compensate for their eating calories and make themselves feel.
The most common symptom is bingeing on large quantities of food, followed by purging the food or vomiting. Other symptoms include strict dieting, compulsive exercise, and laxatives or diuretics.
Ways to help:
There are many ways to help someone with bulimia nervosa. The most important thing is to provide the person with an environment where they can feel safe and supported.
The best way to help someone with bulimia nervosa is to get them professional therapy and treatment as soon as possible.
Read How to Keep Kids Well During Flu Season
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that causes people to overeat and feel guilty about it. People who suffer from this disorder may feel depressed, anxious, or disgusted afterward.
Causes:
The causes of binge eating disorders are not fully known. Some possible reasons include mental health problems like depression or anxiety, genetics, and environmental factors such as stress or trauma.
Common symptoms:
Symptoms of binge eating disorder include eating a large amount of food in a short time while feeling out of control, guilt or shame afterward, and frequent dieting to avoid weight gain.
Ways to help:
The treatment for binge-eating disorders may involve counselling sessions by a psychiatrist or psychologist to treat the primary cause(s) and counselling sessions with a psychotherapist to assist in changing the behaviours that trigger the binge.
Read Is Gym Good for Women?
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (AFRID)
Causes:
The causes of AFRID are not entirely understood. It is thought that many factors contribute to the development of this condition, including genetics, personality traits, and environment.
Common Symptoms:
People with AFRID may experience a range of symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or chewing food; avoidance of eating certain foods; concern about the consequences of eating; and feeling full quickly when they do eat.
Ways to help:
Many ways help people with AFRID manage their symptoms and feel better about themselves. They can work with a therapist individually or in a group setting to focus on these issues and develop new coping skills.
Read Effects of Air Pollution on Unborn Children, Neonates, Infants
Orthorexia Nervosa
Orthorexia Nervosa is a term used to describe an obsession with eating healthy food. It can be a hazardous eating disorder, leading to malnutrition and other serious health problems.
Causes:
The causes of Orthorexia Nervosa can be traced back to childhood and adolescence. Many sufferers had a history of dieting, which may have led to an obsession with weight loss and control over food intake. Orthorexia Nervosa is often accompanied by depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or a history of trauma.
Common symptoms:
Symptoms include: restrictive dieting, obsessive thoughts about food and weight loss, guilt after eating anything perceived as "bad," social withdrawal due to embarrassment about eating in front of others, perfectionism around.
Ways to help:
There are many ways to help those who suffer from orthorexia Nervosa. The first thing you need to do is find out the root cause of the disorder and then work on finding a solution for it. You may want professional help or advice from someone with experiences in this field, such as nutritionists or therapists.
Read Quit Smoking: Best, worst kinds of foods, drinks to quit cigarettes
Pica
Pica is the persistent eating of substances that are not food, such as ice, clay, or paint chips.
Causes:
Iron deficiency is the common cause of pica.
Common Symptoms:
The symptoms of pica vary from person to person and may include stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Pica can also lead to anemia or other nutritional deficiencies if done over a long time.
Ways to help:
There are many ways to help someone with pica. One way is by treating the underlying condition like iron deficiency. Another way is by using medication to treat the cravings for non-food substances and slowly reducing the dosage until they stop taking it altogether. Finally, a therapist can help with any underlying mental health issues that may be causing the cravings.
Read Child Drowning Prevention: Water safety tips to save your kid from drowning
Bottom Line
So far, we have discussed 6 types of eating disorders in kids, teenagers and adults. There are many ways to support a loved one or friend with an eating disorder. It is essential to be there for them and make time for them. It is crucial to understand their needs to provide the best support.
Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability
Disorders that affect the abilities of understanding or using spoken or written language, doing mathematical calculations, coordinating movements, directing attention are called learning disabilities. Dyslexia is one kind of learning disability. This may happen in very young children but they are generally not recognized until the child reaches school age. Continue scrolling to know how to help children with Dyslexia.
What is dyslexia?
If a child struggles with reading, writing, or speaking maybe she or he is with dyslexia. When you or your partner or someone else in your large family struggles to learn to read, dyslexia is probably the cause.
It is a specific learning difficulty and can affect (10-15)% of the population. It can be mild, moderate, or severe and it can run in families. If a child experiences a particular learning difficulty like dyslexia, it does not mean they are less intelligent than their peers, they just process and learn in a different way.
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Reading and spelling difficulties are most common in dyslexia. Besides, it can also affect an individual’s ability to remember information also.
Symptoms of Dyslexia
Although it is difficult to identify the signs and symptoms of dyslexia before your child enters school, some early clues may indicate a problem.
Before school
Symptoms that a young child may experience are as follow:
-Late talking
-Learning new words slowly
-Face problems forming words correctly- reversing sounds in words or confusing words that sound alike
-Cannot easily remember letters, numbers, and colors
-Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or playing rhyming games.
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School-age
Dyslexia signs and symptoms of school-age children may be:
-Reading level remains below the expected level for age
-Face difficulties in processing and understanding hearing
-Don't find the right word or form answers to questions
-Cannot remember the sequence of things
-Problems sounding out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word
-Difficulty spelling
-Take a long time completing tasks related to reading or writing
-Don't like to take part in reading activities.
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Teens and adults
Some common dyslexia signs and symptoms in teens and adults are:
-Difficulty aloud reading
-Slow and labor-intensive reading and writing
-Problems spelling
-Difficulties of mispronunciation
-Take a long time completing tasks that involve reading or writing
-Difficulty summarizing a story
-Trouble learning a foreign language
-Difficulty memorizing
-Difficulty doing math problems.
Read Stranger Danger: How to teach children safety rules for unknown, unsafe people
Causes of Dyslexia
Dyslexia tends to be a genetic problem. The causes are as follows:
-A family history of dyslexia
-Premature birth or low birth weight
-Take nicotine, drugs, or alcohol during pregnancy or being infected that may alter brain development in the fetus
Complications of Dyslexia
Dyslexia can create the following problems:
Trouble learning
Of course, reading is a basic skill like most other school subjects. A child with dyslexia experiences difficulties in reading class and cannot keep up with peers.
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Social problems
Children with dyslexia may experience low self-esteem, behavior problems, anxiety, aggression, and withdrawal from friends, parents, and teachers.
Problems as adults
Children with dyslexia or learning disabilities cannot reach their potential when they grow up.
10 Effective Ways to Help Children with Dyslexia
Here are 10 practical ways to assist kids with dyslexia.
Nurture thinking skills
Grow thinking skills in your child so that they become an independent and active learner rather than passive learner. Discuss the problem or topic related to school assignments. Share points of view. You can spend fun and quality time together with your child.
Read Best Free Online Educational Game Sites for Children
Work on reading skills
Ask them some questions to understand your reading comprehension. The questions may include: What do you have to find out? What do you already know? Who are the main characters? What are the main ideas? Have you read something like this before? What’s your plan for answering this question? If your children follow these steps, they will increase their reading skills.
Work independently
Let your child handle his or her work independently. But make sure you follow up afterward. Your follow-up question: Did you use your plan? Is this your best work? Can you clarify this? Show me how to do it?
Praise
Never forget to praise appropriately to your child. Perfect praise and rewards are a great thing for your child. Don’t miss any opportunities to acknowledge their effort and highlight the positives where you can.
Read Child Drowning Prevention: Water safety tips to save your kid from drowning
Building positive self-image
Dyslexic children may have to try much harder than other kids to keep up with school work, which can be tiring and eat away at self-esteem. So, let them create a positive self-image of themselves and remind them of their strengths. Help them keep things in perspective when they're having a bad time.
Allowing enough sleep
Enough sleep is fundamental for every child and it is more essential for dyslexia children. Naturally, a well-fed and well-rested child learns better. So, make sure they go to bed early so that they wake up refreshed. A good night’s sleep boosts confidence and helps review information right before bed.
Providing study space
Different children learn in different ways. Some can study in a noisy place but some others cannot. Try to understand your child's choice and make sure they know they have a dedicated space to retreat to when they need it.
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Following custom calendar
A custom calendar can give your child a nice routine for his studies. Prepare a calendar and put it on a notice board or the fridge and keep it up to date. Make your child prepared for tomorrow the night before.
Setting ground rules
If you have a target for work to be completed, make some ground rules. Never tolerate conflict. As you are in charge as a parent, set out your expectations clearly. Make them understand that without finishing the work, they don’t enjoy certain privileges.
Bottom Line
Dyslexia or learning disability is not a permanent or serious problem. Your care, love and companionship can ease this problem. Besides, you need to take some effective steps to work with dyslexia-affected children. Our above-mentioned tips will help to handle your child with dyslexia.
Read How to Keep Kids Well During Flu Season
How to Control Your Meat Addiction?
Eating meat is a popular habit that many people enjoy. However, there are many people who struggle to control their desire to eat meat regularly. If You are struggling with an addiction to meat, don't worry, you are not alone. In fact, you're in the majority, as the majority of people worldwide eat meat. But if you are looking to cut down on your meat consumption, or even give it up altogether, there are many ways to reduce or stop eating meat, depending on your addiction level. This article will take you through the tips to control meat addiction.
Health Risks of Eating Too Much Meat
Meat is a staple in many diets around the world, but what are the health risks of eating too much meat? The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. This means that it increases the risk of developing cancer.
Processed meats include bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages and other pre-packaged meats. They also include any meat that has been treated with smoke, chemicals or preservatives. In addition to that, red meat is also considered as Group 2A carcinogen by WHO. So, excess eating of pork, beef and lamb can probably cause cancer.
Read: Dietitians Warning: Who Should Avoid Red Meat?
How To Control Meat Addiction?
People who are addicted to meat often find it difficult to break the habit. However, there are several ways people have found to overcome this addiction. Before starting to control meat addiction, you will need to identify that you are eating an excessive amount of meat and you are addicted. Here is what you can do to overcome meat addiction.
Be Aware the Harmful Effect of Meat
It is well known that meat consumption can result in many harmful effects on human health, but few people are aware of the harm meat addiction can cause. The harmful effect of meat has been proven by many medical professionals.
Meat is the number one cause of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and obesity. It can also lead to type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and numerous other diseases. People who are eating excessive amounts of meat should be aware of these facts in order to make the process easier.
Read How to Eat Red Meat Without Jeopardizing Your Health
Don’t Eat Meat Every Day
Is eating meat every day really necessary? Not necessarily. There are several ways to reduce or even eliminate your dependency on meat without going completely vegan or vegetarian. One way is to cut back on the amount of meat you eat. Another is to eat less processed meat.
So, if you want to avoid becoming addicted to meat, you should try not to eat it every day. Instead, eat meat every other day, or even better, just a few times a week. Although you are still eating meat, but you'll be less likely to develop a full-blown addiction.
Make Changes Gradually
If you are addicted to something you cannot reduce it overnight. Instead, you have to improve gradually, step by step. If you have decided that you are going to eat less meat, especially the red meat you can make changes gradually. For example, if you are eating beef once a week, you might decide eating bu weekly and later once in a month.
Read Is Red Meat Good or Bad for You?
Eat Poultry
Red meat is one of the most addictive foods out there. The blood in red meat has some chemicals such as gamma globulin, hemoglobin, and albumin. These activate the body's opioid receptors. It’s not hard to see why, with all the amazing flavors and textures that it possesses.
Heat Stroke Prevention: Best foods, drinks to avoid heat exhaustion
In recent years, summer months have become unbearable due to scorching heat. In these hot weather days, health issues like Heatstroke, dehydration, heat exhaustion, summer infections, etc are very common. However, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are not the same things. Heat exhaustion happens if your body loses extreme amounts of water and salt through sweating. On the other hand, heat stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when your body becomes unable to control its internal temperature. Right foods and drinks can help to avoid heat exhaustion and ultimately heat stroke.
Types of heat exhaustion
There are mainly two types of heat exhaustion conditions.
Water depletion
This kind of heat exhaustion is related to excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and even loss of consciousness.
Salt depletion
This type heat exhaustion may lead to nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and muscle cramps.
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Although heat exhaustion isn’t as serious as heat stroke, don’t take it lightly. Without proper care, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, damage the brain and other vital organs, and even cause death.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are as follows:
- Confusion
- Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle or abdominal cramps
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Pale skin
- Profuse sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
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Best foods to avoid heat stroke in hot summer weather
Cucumber
You will get 95% water from the cucumber and it is perfect to keep your digestive system well hydrated. The skin of the cucumber is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which helps to protect your body from damaging radicals.
Bitter gourd (karela)
Although many people don’t like bitter gourd, it is an excellent vegetable to take away the heat from your body. You will get the best result if you can take it two or three times a week. Try to intake a tablespoon of karela juice in your diet every day.
Bottle gourd
The bottle gourd carries 96% water. It is naturally cooling and rich with potassium which helps keep the blood pressure down and electrolyte balance maintained. Moreover, it helps to prevent fatigue and keeps the body cool and refreshed during summers.
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Watermelon
Watermelon is a fat-free sweet. This juicy fruit is enriched with some of the most important antioxidants in nature which provides vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamins B, magnesium, potassium, and many other nutrients. Vitamins B is helpful to produce necessary energy.
Barley
You can take barley as flour, pearls, and barley water during the summer season to flush out toxins from the intestine. Besides, it barely keeps your body cool during the summers. It is easy to take barley water; just boil barley for 20-25 minutes, strain the water, cool it, squeeze a lemon in it and drink it up.
Pineapple
Pineapple is loaded with water, nutrients, and antioxidants that have restorative and free radical fighting properties. Moreover, it has the perfect enzyme namely bromelain that is great to reduce body inflammation in summer.
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Cooling spices
You can take fresh ginger, marjoram, cilantro, lemon balm, peppermint, and white peppercorn during summer as they are cooling. But don’t take cinnamon and dry ginger because they are warming.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate is loaded with water and a special antioxidant namely Punicalagins. This antioxidant helps destroy toxins in the body and build metabolism and protect you against heat stroke.
Mint
Fresh mint leaves contain menthol and so they are good in summer. Menthol revives the specialized nerve endings that allow you to feel cold and an electrical impulse travels to the brain and makes you believe that it is colder outside, which automatically cools down the body mechanism.
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Kiwi
Research shows that if you consume kiwi regularly, it helps to increase hydration levels. Kiwi is rich in potassium and sodium which help improve electrolyte levels and hence help prevent heat stroke.
Celery
Celery is 96% water and packed with sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. These vital nutrients are necessary to maintain the electrolyte balance. Besides, it protects you from heat stroke.
Snow Peas
Snow peas have hydrating effects and are also rich in vitamin C to protect the skin from sunburn, also aid in the production of collagen.
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Pears
Pears are also hydrating fruit and rich in soluble fiber that keeps the digestive system healthy and protects you from heat stroke.
Mango
Mango is enriched with health-benefited nutrients such as proteins, Vitamins A, B6, C, iron, folate, magnesium, riboflavin, and dietary fibers. It is a superfood that has more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. From 3/4 cup of mango, you will get 50% of your daily vitamin C, 8% of your daily Vitamin A, and 8% of your daily vitamin B6.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a rich source of the antioxidants lycopene, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Add this to your salads as a cooling meal.
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Salmon
You will get omega-3 fatty acids from salmon which assist your hypothalamus; a part of the brain responsible for controlling body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
Best drinks to prevent heat stroke in hot summer weather
Clean Water
If you want to hydrate yourself during summer, you need to drink enough water.
Fresh coconut water
Don’t miss this natural drink in the summers. It hydrates your body as well as is loaded with necessary minerals to maintain your body’s electrolyte balance.
Read Easy Homemade Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat and Increase Immunity
Wood Apple Juice
People take wood apples as a remedy for dysentery and other digestion-related issues for years that occur due to the hot weather. Besides, it is a great source of dietary fibers, which work as a natural laxative and help in improving digestion and relieving constipation. Take wood apple juice regularly.
Basil Seeds
Basil seeds have a unique cooling effect on the body and hence, are recommended especially for post-exercise and humid temperatures.
The worst food, drinks that increase risk of heat stroke
Don’t take beverages like alcohol and caffeinated energy drinks that can dehydrate the body during summer. These foods can increase the risk of heat stroke in the hot summer season. Heat illness is mostly related to drinking alcohol. Drinking caffeinated energy can affect your heart. Avoid spicy foods also.
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