Health-&-Fitness
Healthy Weight Gain Strategies: Add pounds fast safely, naturally
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health. It is necessary to prevent and control many diseases and conditions. Both overweight and underweight have serious health risks. So, you need to maintain a standard weight. If you have underweight than standard, you should gain weight. We are here with tips and tricks to gain fat in safe and natural ways.
Risks of being underweight
You may know a lot about the health effects of being overweight, but do you know about the effects of being underweight? Check below certain health risks related to being underweight.
- malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, anemia
- osteoporosis for want of little vitamin D and calcium
- decreased immune function
- increased risk for complications from surgery
- fertility issues caused by irregular menstrual cycles
- Surgical complications.
- Infertility.
- growth and development issues
Read The risks of the extreme diet
However, being overweight is not healthy at all. Obesity can develop serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, and certain cancers.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain a standard weight for long and healthy living.
How do you know whether you’re underweight or not?
You can know from your body mass index (BMI). Besides, your doctor will identify if you’re underweight. BMI is the measure of your body fat depending on your height and weight. Being underweight means having a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5. This is evaluated to be less than the body mass needed to sustain optimal health. On the other hand, over 25 is considered overweight and over 30 is considered obese.
Read Muscle Building Diet: Best Foods for Muscle Gains, Definition and Fat Reduction
How to gain weight fast and safely
Calories intake
If you wish to add some pounds, eat more calories than your body needs. Make sure you take an additional 3,550 calories to safely gain one pound of body weight. That means you need 500 additional calories a day if you wish to gain a pound a week.
Remember, you must discuss with your doctor before following the weight gain formula as weight gain differs from person to person. A weight gain of about half or one pound in a week is safe according to Jaime Gnau. She is a biomedical science clinical instructor. So, you can follow this formula.
Eat Plenty of Protein
Protein is considered the single most important nutrient for gaining a healthy weight. Muscle is made of protein and without it, the body loses extra calories as body fat. So, you need to keep in mind that protein is a double-edged sword.
Read Which Type of Yoga Should You Try?
Besides, it is great to reduce your hunger and appetite significantly. However, take 0.7–1 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight if you want to gain fat by taking high-protein foods such as meats, fish, eggs, many dairy products, nuts, and others.
Intake Energy-Dense Foods
Put emphasis on energy-dense foods as much as possible. Check the list below of energy-dense foods that are perfect for gaining weight.
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc.
Dried fruit like raisins, dates, and others.
Dairy that is high in fat such as whole milk, full-fat yogurt, cheese
Fats and oils- extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil.
Grains like oats and brown rice.
Meat- chicken, beef, pork, lamb, etc.
Tubers-potatoes, sweet potatoes
Besides, dark chocolate, coconut milk, and granola.
Read What Does Yoga Do For Weight Loss?
Eat frequently
To increase your weight you need to eat frequently. When you're underweight, make sure you eat five to six smaller meals rather than two or three large meals during the day. Frequent eating of small amounts will help to put on weight as well as keep you healthy.
Take high-calorie fruits and vegetables
You may take fruits and vegetables frequently. But when you are planning to gain weight, you must take a well-rounded diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains to get ample amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Check below:
-Dates (66 calories per date)
-Raisins (120 calories in 1/4 cup)
-Black beans (220 calories in 1/2 cup)
-Bananas (112 calories per fruit).
Read Postpartum Weight Loss: How to lose baby weight fast after pregnancy
Drink your calories
You can intake beverages for example smoothies or protein-packed shakes to add calories to your daily intake.
Check below the high-calorie beverages:
- Smoothies with peanut butter, chia seeds, fruit, yogurt, and whole milk.
- 100% fruit juice which has more calories than whole fruit.
- You can add unsweetened protein powder to drinks, oatmeal, or yogurt.
Avoid Junk Food
Make sure you avoid junk food with added salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. These foods will increase weight but not in the right way. They are always bad for your health whether you are overweight or underweight.
Read Pregnancy Anxiety? How to reduce the stress of pregnant mothers?
Top Your Soups
You can add on top your soups -cream, yogurt, cheese, and powdered milk: They are great to add calories as well as flavor. You will enjoy it much. Besides, you get something extra delicious and healthy in each bite.
Dress Up Your Salads
Don’t give up nutrition-rich foods-salads from the menu thinking that they are low in calories. of course, you can increase calories in your salad by adding healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado, cheese, nuts, and seeds. Moreover, you can add apples, pears, and berries for a little zip.
Keep Track
Always keep track although it is tough to remember everything you eat from day today. You can follow a food journal that can show you areas you might need to work on. Besides, consult with your dietitian who can make sure that you are getting the right nutrients.
Read Egg Diet For Weight Loss: Does It Work?
Drink at the Right Time
Remember, drinking anything before taking a meal can minimize your hunger. So, make sure you don't drink water or others drink before taking meals. If you need to take it, wait 30 minutes afterward to have a beverage. You can follow various approaches. It would be better if you track them in your food journal.
Exercise to Build Muscle
Exercise offers huge health benefits besides helping weight loss. Some exercises like yoga, push-ups, pull-ups, weight training, and other activities can help you add weight. They burn calories as well as make you hungrier to eat more. You can talk to your doctor about the exercise for weight gain if you experience difficulty in breathing.
Bottom Line
Like obesity, underweight health conditions can pose a health threat to you. Being underweight creates diseases including malnutrition, osteoporosis, infertility, etc. Therefore, if you are underweight you need to consult a dietitian and follow the necessary steps to reach a standard weight level. So far, we have discussed some effective ways to gain weight in natural and safe ways. Hope it Helps!
Read Ketogenic Diet: Know the benefits and risks
Shared bikes disinfected as COVID-19 precaution measures in Beijing
A bike-sharing service worker disinfects shared bikes outside a subway station in Beijing, capital of China, May 18, 2022.
In Beijing, shared bikes have been disinfected and some of them are equipped with hand sanitizers recently as COVID-19 precaution measures, for the sake of the riders' health amid the recent COVID-19 resurgence.
A bike-sharing service worker equips shared bikes with hand sanitizers outside a subway station in Beijing, capital of China, May 18, 2022. In Beijing, shared bikes have been disinfected and some of them are equipped with hand sanitizers recently as COVID-19 precaution measures, for the sake of the riders' health amid the recent COVID-19 resurgenceShared bikes are seen equipped with hand sanitizers outside a subway station in Beijing, capital of China, May 18, 2022. In Beijing, shared bikes have been disinfected and some of them are equipped with hand sanitizers recently as COVID-19 precaution measures, for the sake of the riders' health amid the recent COVID-19 resurgence.
Also Read: Motorbike Riding in Winter: How to beat the cold weather?
A man has his hands sanitized before riding a shared bike outside a subway station in Beijing, capital of China, May 18, 2022. In Beijing, shared bikes have been disinfected and some of them are equipped with hand sanitizers recently as COVID-19 precaution measures, for the sake of the riders' health amid the recent COVID-19 resurgence.
A man scans a QR code to unlock a shared bike outside a subway station in Beijing, capital of China, May 18, 2022. In Beijing, shared bikes have been disinfected and some of them are equipped with hand sanitizers recently as COVID-19 precaution measures, for the sake of the riders' health amid the recent COVID-19 resurgence.
Labaid Ltd. (Diagnostics) and Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Center partner with Darwinbox to achieve total Digital Transformation
Labaid Ltd. (Diagnostics) and Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Center, a part of the Labaid Group, have partnered with Darwinbox to achieve total digital transformation by 2026.
This is in line with their vision of becoming Bangladesh's 'trusted healthcare provider' and aggressive business growth. Darwinbox's addition is specifically to supercharge the HR operations and workforce management for their 2000+ plus employees PAN Bangladesh.
The Labaid Group is a leading group of companies across health care, pharmaceuticals, finance, education, agros etc. Darwinbox, an end-to-end Human Resource Management Solutions (HRMS) platform, is set to enable the group's Diagnostic Centre and Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Center to thrive in the post-covid world by digitizing its HR.
Also read:Herzing University announces InUni as international markets strategic adviser
The flagship Labaid Ltd. (Diagnostics), started in 1989, has close to 30 centers across the country today. Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Center, one of the newest additions to the group, is a 180-bedded first-ever comprehensive cancer care facility in Bangladesh.
With an experienced and dedicated Oncology team, fully equipped pathology lab, ICU, HDU, 24/7 emergency pharmacy service, and all super-specialty treatments, it brings modern cancer treatment facilities under one roof. By partnering with Darwinbox, both entities will take the first step towards digital transformation, which will not only help them stay ahead of the curve but enable their workforce to be more efficient and successful.
Sakif, Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Center and Executive Director of the Labaid Group, said, "We are looking at exponential growth in the coming days. We believe digital transformation is the way forward and technology is one of the main propellers of growth. Our partnership with Darwinbox is extremely critical for us as it will further our efforts towards becoming the market leader in the healthcare sector in the country."
A young multi-talented entrepreneur, Mr. Sakif has been pivotal to Labaid's growth journey. He reinvented the corporate governance and culture among the Labaid concerns, which has led to improved management and brand image, rise in productivity and efficiency, growth, and market leadership.
Manish Mishra, CEO of Labaid Ltd.(Diagnostics), added, "It has been our endeavor to bring the best medical professionals, technology, treatment and experience to our patients. With this partnership our staff can get supercharged to deliver the best to them as we bring in efficiency and agility in day-to-day processes."
Labaid Ltd. (Diagnostics) and Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Center have recently onboarded top renowned HR professionals from India and Sri Lanka.
The addition of the HRMS platform will enable these leaders to manage the workforce and productivity better. Both entities are fully focused on modernizing their HR processes to meet the demands of the business and their employees. To begin with, they will integrate key modules like the Core, Time and Attendance, Recruitment, PMS, and payroll into their HR operations.
Also read:The most decisive platform for the Indian woodworking, furniture and mattress manufacturing Industry is set to create new benchmarks
Jayant Paleti, Co-founder of Darwinbox, commented on the partnership by saying, "This is one of our early partnerships in the region, and for two key entities of Bangladesh's leading Labaid Group, this is their first step towards digital transformation. We are excited to play a critical role in their journey toward becoming the most trusted healthcare provider in the country. This partnership, we believe, will not only help them achieve business goals but also enable them to become a top employer in Bangladesh."
Today Darwinbox serves over 650+ enterprises, 1.5 million employees across 90+ countries including leading global enterprises Adani, Arvind Group, JSW Group, Vedanta Group, JG Summit Group (Philippines), Indorama (Indonesia), big players in the BSFI sector like the Kotak Life, Crisil, Edelweiss Group, Robinson Bank, Aviva Singlife and fast-growing internet companies like Makemytrip, Bigbasket and Swiggy.
It recently became the only Asian to be listed on the Gartner Magic Quadrant for 1000+ Employee Enterprises and is a Unicorn backed by the likes of TCV, Salesforce Ventures, Lightspeed Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Endiya Partners, and 3One4Capital, amongst others.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1819993/Darwinbox_partners_Labaid.jpg
Source: Darwinbox
Postpartum Depression, Mood Swings: How can new moms deal with these issues?
Some women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. It not only causes extreme sadness and despair but also lead towards physical, emotional, and behavioral change. It usually begins within 4 weeks after delivery. It is a severe mental illness.
The mood swing is also related to postpartum depression. This familiar concept is used to describe rapidly and intensely fluctuating emotions. People compare mood swings to a “roller coaster” of feelings from happiness and contentment to anger, irritability, and even depression. Here we are going discyss the causes, symptoms and reasons of postpartum depression and mood swings.Don't miss this article if you are a new mom suffering from postpartum depression or mood swings.
Read Pregnancy Anxiety? How to reduce the stress of pregnant mothers?
Postpartum depression and mood swings: common causes, reasons, and symptoms
Comparison of causes, symptoms and reasons between postpartum depression and postpartum mood swings.
Postpartum Depression
Mood Swing
Cause
Hormones: The drop of Hormones after giving birth may play an important role to make you feel tired, sluggish, and depressed.
Lack of sleep: With a newborn baby naturally the mother doesn't get sufficient sleep which ultimately makes you overwhelmed and so you may not handle even minor problems.
Anxiety: Like the moms of older kids, a new mom may be anxious about her ability to care for her newborn.
Self-image: After delivery a new mom may feel less attractive and so she struggles with her sense of Identity. Ultimately, the new mom may feel that she has lost control over her life.
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Stress
- Psychiatric causes
- Hormone imbalances
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
Symptoms
- Depressed mood
- Excessive crying
- Difficulty bonding with the newborn baby
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Loss of taste or eating much more than the mom used to eat usually
- Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy
- Lack of interest and pleasure in activities you love to do
- Intense irritability and anger
- Fear that she is not a good mother
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy
- Feeling inability to think clearly, and make decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming her oneself or the newborn baby
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- Feeling sad, hopeless, and worthless
- Failing to enjoy favorite activities
- Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Feeling exhausted, tired, and fatigued
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Experiencing thoughts of death or suicide
Reasons
- Having a history of depression
- Feeling bipolar disorder
- Experiencing postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy
- Experiencing stressful events (like illness, or job loss) regarding pregnancy.
- Baby's health problems
- Having twins or multiple births
- Experiencing difficulty breastfeeding
- Going through bad relationships with her spouse or partner
- Having a weak support system
- Feeling financial problems
- The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted
- Living alone
- Marital conflict
- Bipolar Disorder
- Sleep -Deprivation
- Low Blood Sugar
- Certain Medications
- Thyroid Issues
- Caffeine
- Too Much Sugar
- Depression
How can new moms deal with Postpartum depression and mood swings
Be friendly with your baby
You need to maintain attachment-the emotional bonding with your baby. This wordless relationship is really necessary and essential to enable a child to feel secure. It helps enough to develop your child fully and affects how he or she will interact, communicate, and form relationships throughout life. So, make sure you respond warmly and consistently to your baby’s physical and emotional needs to build a secure attachment with your baby.
Read Postpartum Weight Loss: How to lose baby weight fast after pregnancy
Response quickly to your baby's demands and needs. But, remember, postpartum depression can interrupt this bonding. However, if you learn how to bond with your baby, it will be beneficial for your baby and for you as well which makes you feel happier and more confident as a mom.
Take others’ help and support
We are social beings and we can relieve our stress by building positive social contact with others. Positive social contact is faster and more efficient than any other means of stress reduction.
Naturally, a new mother needs help from others to care for the infant. Although at present nuclear families are available, new mothers often find themselves alone, exhausted, and lonely for supportive adult contact.
Read 10 Post- Pregnancy Skincare Tips: Get Your Glow Back
So, it is important to be connected to family members and friends. Share what you’re experiencing with your nearest ones, especially with your mother or elder sister.
Be a joiner
Naturally, isolation begets anxiety. Make sure you may want to consider seeking out other women who are handling the same situation in motherhood although you have supportive friends. You can share your worries, insecurities, and feelings with them and they can give proper solutions to that as they have experience with these issues.
So, be a joiner and join the new-mommy support group which is offered by community organizations and hospitals to provide relief from the social isolation that comes with having a new baby, as well as perspective.
Read Newborn Baby, Infant Care Tips during Summer
Take care of yourself
You may avoid postpartum depression effectively by taking care of yourself. By taking care of your mental and physical well-being, you can feel better. So, follow a simple lifestyle. Put priority on yourself and your baby. Minimize your household chores.
Take Regular exercise and Meditation
Studies show that exercise may be excellent for treating depression. So move and take easy regular exercise like walking for 30-minutes each day. You can take stretching exercises like yoga that have shown to be especially effective. Besides, do meditation to make you feel calmer and more energized.
Build a sweet relationship with your partner
Research has shown that most divorces happen after the birth of a child. Many couples think that the relationship with their partner is their primary source of emotional expression and social connection. As a new baby needs enough time and concentration, it can fracture this relationship unless couples put some time, energy, and thought into preserving their bond.
Read Pregnancy Care Tips for Summer: How can pregnant mothers beat the heat?
Consult your doctor for postpartum depression
If you are still suffering from postpartum depression after getting both self-help and family support, make sure you consult with your doctor. Take treatment as soon as possible. You can consult with a therapist who can help you successfully cope with the adjustments of motherhood.
However, you take marriage counseling if you are experiencing marital difficulties. Moreover, for cases of postpartum depression where your ability to function adequately for yourself or your baby is compromised, antidepressants may be an option.
Online alcohol marketing increasingly targets young people, heavy drinkers
Alcohol is increasingly being marketed across borders, with young people and heavy drinkers particularly targeted, according to a recent report by the UN health agency.
The study shows how the digital revolution in marketing and promotion is being used to advertise alcohol across national borders, and in many cases regardless of social, economic, or cultural environments.
Drinking alcohol is causally linked to an array of health problems, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, ranging from alcohol dependence and other mental and behavioural disorders to major non-communicable diseases such as liver cirrhosis, cancers and cardiovascular diseases, as well as injuries and deaths resulting from violence and road traffic accidents.
Around 3 million people die each year worldwide as a result of the harmful use of alcohol – one every 10 seconds – nearly five percent of all deaths.
Young people account for a disproportionate number of these alcohol-related deaths, with 13.5 percent of all deaths among people aged 20-39 being alcohol-related.
"Alcohol robs young people, their families and societies of their lives and potential," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
"Yet despite the clear risks to health, controls on the marketing of alcohol are much weaker than for other psychoactive products. Better, well enforced and more consistent regulation of alcohol marketing would both save and improve young lives across the world."
Read: Australian researchers make breakthrough in rare blood cancer treatment
The WHO report highlights how recent changes in alcohol marketing have created new opportunities to reach audiences.
The collection and analysis of data on users' habits and preferences by global internet providers have allowed alcohol marketers to target messages to specific groups across national borders.
The study found that targeted advertising on social media is especially effective, and further bolstered by influencers and through sharing posts.
One data source quoted in the report calculated that over 70 percent of media spending of leading alcohol marketers based in the US in 2019 was through promotions, product placement and online advertisements on social media.
"The rising importance of digital media means that alcohol marketing has become increasingly cross-border," said Dag Rekve of the alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours unit at the WHO.
"This makes it more difficult for countries that are regulating alcohol marketing to effectively control it in their jurisdictions. More collaboration between countries in this area is needed."
Alcohol companies are also sponsoring major sporting events at the global, regional and national levels, which, according to the report, can also significantly increase brand awareness among new audiences.
They are also partnering with sports leagues and clubs to reach viewers and potential consumers in different parts of the world.
Other opportunities include sponsorship of competitive gaming events or product placement in movies and serials streamed on international subscription channels.
The report "Reducing the harm from alcohol – by regulating cross-border alcohol marketing, advertising and promotion" also examines how specific audiences are targeted, with particular concern for children and adolescents, women, and heavy drinkers.
The WHO said studies have shown that starting to drink alcohol at a young age is a predictor of hazardous drinking in young adulthood and beyond.
Read: Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Risks, Symptoms, Treatment and Ways of Prevention
Marketers are also particularly targeting areas of the world with young and growing populations, such as Africa and Latin America.
While men consume three-quarters of the alcohol that the world drinks, the lower rate among women also presents an opportunity for growth. Alcohol marketers often depict drinking by women as a symbol of empowerment and equality, according to the report.
"Alcohol-dependent people frequently report a stronger urge to drink alcohol when confronted with alcohol-related cues, yet they rarely have an effective way to avoid exposure to the content of the advertising or promotion," the WHO said.
The report recommends that comprehensive restrictions or bans on alcohol marketing, including its cross-border aspects, are integrated into public health strategies. It also calls for greater collaboration between countries.
The WHO said although many governments have implemented some form of restrictions on alcohol marketing, they tend to be relatively weak.
A 2018 study by the UN agency revealed that while most countries have some form of regulation for alcohol marketing in traditional media, almost half have no regulation that applies to the internet and social media.
End/UNB/MA
Postpartum Weight Loss: How to lose baby weight fast after pregnancy
You may gain extra weight during pregnancy as you take extra food & enough rest during that period. Now that your new baby is here and you always think about how to get rid of those extra pounds. Don’t worry! You need to maintain a gradual approach to lose weight. Be relaxed, hold patience and follow our secure and prudent ways to lose baby weight just after pregnancy and get back fitness.
Weight gain during pregnancy
It is important to understand how much weight you should gain during pregnancy. You should also know why your body is putting on pounds, and how it plays a role in what happens after the baby arrives. How much weight you should gain during pregnancy will depend on your body mass index (BMI) before you get pregnant.
Institute of Medicine (IOM) says women who are underweight need to gain 28 to 40 lbs. (12.7 to 18.1 kg) while women with a normal BMI need to gain 25 to 35 lbs. (11.3 to 15.9 kg) but women in the overweight type should aim to gain 15 to 25 lbs. (6.8 to 11.3 kg), and women in the obese category should aim to gain 11 to 20 lbs. (5.0 to 9.1 kg). The women who carry twins, the recommended weight gain amounts for them are higher.
Read Pregnancy Care Tips for Summer: How can pregnant mothers beat the heat?
According to IOM, the most important reason women should limit their weight gain during pregnancy is to reduce risks both to the mother and the baby's health. According to IOM's recommendation, women can gain between 0.5 to 2 kg during the first trimester. And during both the second and third trimesters, women may gain 0.5 to 1 lb. (0.23 to 0.45 kg) per week.
Of course, that will depend on their pre-pregnancy BMI. The IOM also says that, during these trimesters, underweight and normal-weight women generally gain 1 lb. per week, overweight women gain 0.6 lbs. (0.27 kg) per week and obese women gain 0.5 lbs. per week.
Read Pregnancy Anxiety? How to reduce the stress of pregnant mothers?
Weight Gain and Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex including physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in some women after giving birth. It is a serious but treatable medical illness that involves feelings of extreme sadness, indifference, and anxiety. It can affect the new moms.
Some mothers suffer from Postpartum depression due to gaining excess weight during their preganancy periods.
Australian researchers make breakthrough in rare blood cancer treatment
Australian researchers have made a breakthrough in overcoming drug resistance in patients with rare blood cancer.
In a study published on Monday, the team from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and SA Pathology's Center for Cancer Biology said they have found a way to suppress a protein that boosts resistance to drugs used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.
AML is a kind of rare cancer that affects blood and bone marrow that kills more than 70 percent of patients within five years of diagnosis.
"Each year in Australia, around 900 people are diagnosed with AML, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow characterized by an overproduction of cancerous white blood cells called leukaemic blasts," Stuart Pitson, a lead author of Monday's study, said in a statement.
Read: Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Risks, Symptoms, Treatment and Ways of Prevention
"These cells crowd out normal white blood cells, which then can't do their usual infection-fighting work, thereby increasing the risk of infections, low oxygen levels and bleeding."
Patients initially respond to Venetoclax, a new treatment for AML, but over time cells grow resistant to it.
However, the research team discovered that modulating lipid metabolism in the body can inhibit a protein called Mcl-1 which facilitates drug resistance.
Pitson said the finding could revolutionize how AML is treated.
The team is now working to optimize drugs targeting the protein to take into clinical trials.
"For most people with AML, the chances of long-term survival are no better now than they were last century," SA Pathology hematologist David Ross said.
Read: Clean hands may make the difference between life and death: WHO
"Now, we have a chance to remedy that. New treatments that prevent Venetoclax resistance have the potential to prolong survival, or even increase the chances of a cure in a disease for which improved outcomes are desperately needed."
Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Risks, Symptoms, Treatment and Ways of Prevention
Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon in which a person is conscious but unable to move while they are asleep. This state can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes or even hours. It is most common during the onset of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is the stage of sleep when people experience dreams. In most people, this is the last stage of sleep before waking up. People who experience sleep paralysis are unable to progress from one stage of sleep to the next. They are fully aware of their surroundings but are unable to move. Stay with us to know the risk factors, causes, symptoms, treatment and preventive measures of Sleep Paralysis syndrome.
Risk Factors and Causes of Sleep Paralysis
About 8% of people experience sleep paralysis at least once in their life. While the rate is higher for students, people having psychiatric conditions, and people of color, anyone can experience it. Sleep paralysis can be a frightening experience, but it is not always dangerous. Let's see the common reasons for sleep paralysis.
Read: Clean hands may make the difference between life and death: WHO
Sleep Deprivation or Insomnia
People who are sleep-deprived are more prone to sleep paralysis. Sleep deprivation can lead to a person experiencing sleep paralysis due to the lack of REM sleep. This is the stage of sleep where most dreams occur and where muscles relax. If a person is deprived of REM sleep, they will be more likely to experience sleep paralysis.
Anxiousness and Nervousness
When a person is anxious, they will often focus on their breathing or shallow breathing as if it could save them from some danger or threat that may be threatening them. If a person's breathing is shallow enough that it causes them the experience of being caught in a trap, unable to move, and unable to speak.
Nervousness may also cause a person to have shallow breathing, which can then lead them to experience sleep paralysis when they begin to panic or are so nervous that they are unable to control their breathing or feel safe.
Read Bug-free Home: How to get rid of insects indoors
Medications
Many medications can also cause sleep paralysis. For example, high blood pressure drugs, hormonal medicines, steroids, and inhaled respiratory drugs can lead to sleep disorders. Eventually, these can cause sleep paralysis.
Alcohol
Alcohol can also cause people to experience sudden awakenings from deep stages of sleep like NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and REM causing them to have difficulty returning back into deeper stages of sleeping, causing them to experience a feeling of being awake and not being able to move or talk. This feeling can last for up to 20 minutes or so, in which the person may experience a variety of symptoms, including panic attacks, hallucinations, and amnesia.
Stress
We have all experienced stress in our lives; some of us probably have experienced it on a regular basis, and many of us probably have experienced it at some point in our life. When you are experiencing stress, it can cause you to face sleep paralysis because the body goes into fight or flight mode when you are stressed out. And you may experience symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, and feeling like you are going to pass out.
Read: Tips to Keep Home Cool in Summer Without AC
Sleep Positions
One thing that many people do not realize when it comes down to their bedtime routine is that when they get into bed at night, they need to make sure that their body is in the correct position for sleeping. And this means you always make sure that your head is on a pillow which will allow you to have a comfortable night's sleep.
Also, if you are having trouble sleeping due to an episode of sleep paralysis, then it may be a good idea to try sleeping on your side. This position will often help keep you from falling into a state of sleep paralysis. It will also allow you to breathe in a more natural way, which will often help reduce the amount of time that you are experiencing these episodes.
Being Overweight
There has been a lot of research done on this subject over the years, which shows that people who are overweight often experience more sleep paralysis symptoms than those who are of normal weight. Being overweight can lead to sleep disorders, which may cause sleep paralysis.
Read Microplastic in Human Blood: Health Risks and Dangers
Symptoms of Sleep Paralysis
The most common way to know if you have sleep paralysis is you will have a feeling of being awake but unable to move. One of the most common symptoms is that your body remains paralyzed for a few seconds after the mind is awake and the eyes are open. Another symptom is that your head may feel like it's stuck in a vise or a vice grip. The last and most scary symptom of sleep paralysis is when you can hear noises in your head like someone whispering or calling out to you or when you hear an intruder in your house.
Medical Treatment of Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is not a major issue, and it is a common phenomenon. Therefore, most people don't need any treatment for sleep paralysis. But if it occurs more often, you may need to consult a doctor to find out the reasons. If you have sleep paralysis due to anxiety or depression, or mental health issues, you might require medical treatment. For example, you may need to take a sleeping pill to improve sleep habits to make sure you are getting six to eight hours of sleep.
Sometimes, doctors may prescribe you antidepressant medication to regulate sleep cycles. Also, treating any mental health issue will improve sleep paralysis. You may also need treatment for other kinds of sleep disorders such as leg cramps or narcolepsy.
Read: Newborn Baby, Infant Care Tips during Summer
Preventive Measures for Sleep Paralysis
If you are experiencing sleep paralysis, here are a few things you can do to make it easier to fall asleep. First, make sure your mind is calm as you go to bed. Try not to think about anything that might cause you anxiety. Second, try to go to bed at the same time every night. Often, when we change the time we go to bed, we will find ourselves falling asleep at a different time.
Lastly, try to keep things in your bedroom as simple as possible. Sometimes, when we have too much stuff in our bedroom, we end up worrying about our stuff. Therefore, try to keep your bedroom as simple as possible and, if possible, leave a few things like pictures or items from your childhood, so it reminds you of happy times.
Final Words
So far, we have discussed the common symptoms, risk factors, reasons, treatment and preventive measures of Sleep Paralysis. Not to mention, Sleep paralysis is a common and often frightening experience, but it can be largely avoided through simple precautions. Practicing safe sleep habits, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, can help reduce the chances of experiencing sleep paralysis in the first place. If you do experience sleep paralysis, be sure to seek help from a physician or other trusted source to get relief.
Read: Pregnancy Care Tips for Summer: How can pregnant mothers beat the heat?
Clean hands may make the difference between life and death: WHO
When good hand hygiene and other infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are followed, 70 percent of infections can be prevented in health care settings, according to a new World Health Organization report.
The coronavirus pandemic and other disease outbreaks have highlighted the extent to which healthcare settings can contribute to the spread of infections.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed many challenges and gaps in IPC in all regions and countries, including those which had the most advanced IPC programmes, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Today, out of every 100 patients in acute care hospitals, seven in high-income countries and 15 in low and middle-income nations will acquire at least one healthcare associated infection (HAI) during their hospital stay – one in 10 of whom will die.
Newborns and patients in intensive care are particularly at risk, the report reveals, and almost half of all sepsis cases with organ dysfunction in adult intensive-care units are linked to healthcare.
The first Global Report on Infection Prevention and Control published Friday brings together evidence from scientific reports, and new data from WHO studies.
Also Read: Nearly 15M deaths associated with COVID-19: WHO
The impact of healthcare linked infections and antimicrobial resistance on people's lives is incalculable, says the WHO.
Over 24 percent of patients affected by healthcare associated sepsis and 52.3 percent of those treated in an intensive care unit die each year.
Moreover, deaths are increased two to threefold when infections are resistant to antimicrobials.
In the last five years, the WHO conducted global surveys and country joint evaluations to assess the implementation status of national IPC programmes.
Comparing data from the 2017-18 to 2021-22 surveys, the percentage of countries with a national IPC programme did not improve; and in 2021-22, only 3.8 percent of countries had all IPC minimum requirements in place at the national level.
In healthcare facilities, only 15.2 percent met all the IPC minimum requirements, according to a 2019 WHO survey.
Also Read: WHO estimates pandemic’s death toll in Bangladesh almost 5 times higher than official figures
However, some encouraging progress has been made, with significantly more countries appointing IPC focal points; dedicated budgets for IPC and curriculum for front line healthcare workers' training; national IPC guidelines and programmes for HAI surveillance; and hand hygiene compliance established as key national indicators.
Strongly supported by the WHO and others, many countries are scaling up actions to put in place minimum requirements and core components of IPC programmes.
Sustaining and further expanding this progress in the long-term is a critical need that requires urgent attention and investments.
"Our challenge now is to ensure that all countries are able to allocate the human resources, supplies and infrastructures this requires," said Tedros.
104 and no more: Amputee wraps up marathon record quest
When amputee athlete Jacky Hunt-Broersma says her mantra is, “I can do hard things,” she’s not kidding — the amputee athlete has run 104 marathons in as many days, all using a carbon-fiber prosthesis.
Hunt-Broersma, 46, completed that epic quest on Saturday near her home in suburban Phoenix, setting an unofficial world record along the way.
“What a journey,” she tweeted.
The South Africa native, who lost her left leg below the knee to a rare cancer, gained worldwide attention and a huge social media following after beginning her record attempt on Jan. 17.
Brick Runners, an organization that supports athletes who raise money for charities, even designed a Jacky-inspired Lego-style character complete with one of her favorite T-shirts, which reads: “Strong Has Many Forms.”
Also Read: Tips to keep home cool in summer without AC
Hunt-Broersma also raised more than $67,000 to help fellow amputee blade runners get the expensive prostheses they need. Health insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost, which can exceed $10,000.
Every day since mid-January, she covered the classic 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) marathon distance either on a loop course laid out near her home in Gilbert, Arizona, or on a treadmill indoors.
Her original goal was to run 100 marathons in 100 days so she’d beat a record of 95 set in 2020 by Alyssa Amos Clark, a nondisabled runner from Bennington, Vermont, who did it as a pandemic coping strategy. But last month, after nondisabled British runner Kate Jayden unofficially broke Clark’s record with 101 marathons in 101 days, Hunt-Broersma realized she’d need to run at least 102.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said she hoped her quest would inspire people everywhere to push themselves regardless of their physical limitations.
Guinness World Records spokesperson Amanda Marcus said the Britain-based organization was aware of Hunt-Broersma’s attempt, and that it would take 12 to 15 weeks to review the evidence before the record can be confirmed.
Guinness lists the men’s record for consecutive daily marathons as 59, set in 2019 by Enzo Caporaso of Italy.
Also Read: Newborn baby, infant care tips during summer