Search Results

The virus is shed in the rabid animal’s saliva and is transmitted through a bite into human tissues. Whereas in some subjects, the virus is cleared spontaneously, in others, it enters a nerve ending, and then spreads to the central nervous system by passive retrograde axonal transport and trans synaptic transmission. After an incubation period of 5 days to a few months, rarely extending to more than 1 year, rabies virus thus causes an acute progressive encephalomyelitis, which is almost universally fatal. With the elimination of endemic transmission among dogs in the United States, other animal control efforts, well-organized public health and surveillance system, and the availability of reliable human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and vaccines, rabies has be- come rare, 1 to 2 cases being reported annually since the 1960s. Rabies virus is still endemic among animals in the wild and among bats in the United States, leading to continuing risk of transmission to humans. Domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, can sometimes get rabies from contact with wild animals and thus pose risk to humans coming in contact with them.. The rabies virus seems to become inaccessible to immune surveillance once it enters a neuron. A viral infectious disease transmitted form animals to humans is called rabies. When an animal called rabid, who is a carrier of rabies infection bites humans, rabies is caused. Main source of animal-to-human transmission are raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. rabies infection Early symptoms are more flu like and can be cold, fever, chills etc. But it can proceed and lead to very serious complications. Rabies might cause some serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition Rabies is very fatal and serious and immediate action should be taken. Increased anxiety levels Feeling constantly Feeling very confused Unable to swallow properly Problem with nerves Spasm in the muscles Constant irritation around the bitten area Cause behind rabies When an infected animal or a rabid bites a human, rabies virus from its saliva gets transmitted. Rarely, transmission via air, mucous membranes, organ transplantation cause rabies to spread. Rabies risk factors rabies infection A list of risk factors raises the chances of you getting infected with rabies. When an animal with rabies bites you You are not vaccinated with vaccine against rabies Reducing your risk of rabies The fatal effects of rabies can be avoided if you seek immediate medical help. You should react promptly after being bitten by the animal and rush to the hospital. You should get yourself a vaccine against rabies and human immune globulin antibody. Injection. So what can you do in order to decrease the risk of getting rabies: Stay away from animals to might possess the rabies virus If you think you pet is exposed to rabies then rush to the doctor as soon as possible. Thoroughly clean and wash your wound with an antiseptic Your pets at home should be properly vaccinated Get your self the vaccine against rabies immediately after being bitten by the animal Treatment for rabies rabies infection treatment If you don’t act promptly and get yourself vaccinated then you might face fatal consequences. As this disease advances or progresses very quickly, immediate action is needed. You should follow the treatment plan advised by your physician or healthcare provider. It might entail proper wound care for the bite and vaccinations needed after you are exposed to rabies. The sick animals should be separated from the animals who’s health is fine. The sick animals should undergo a thorough examination of the brain specially. The healthy animals should be vaccinated as per the protocol advised by the doctor. Take care of your wound by following these steps To prevent infection from happening, clean and sterilize the wound thoroughly Get yourself tested in case you have any damage to the nerves Get yourself vaccinated after you have been bitten What all vaccinations you should take? Human rabies immune globulin Rabies vaccine Serious complications that occur because of rabies Complications of rabies can be potentially serious and may even cause death. This scenario is especially true if rabies symptoms are not treated immediately and the infection progresses very fast. Without post-exposure treatment, the rabies infection is very life damaging. Take guidance and support from your doctor and follow all his instructions well. A potential complication of rabies is an allergic response to the vaccination CONCLUSION In case you get bitten by an infected animal and get rabies, get immediate help from nearby medical facility and get yourself a rabies vaccine. Your doctor or physician might call you for a follow-up and give you list of recommendations to follow. You may take some pain medicines as and when needed.

When it comes to health and fitness, especially working out, you cannot prevent people from falling into the trap of a common misconception. Most think that they need an expensive gym membership to bring out the spirit of a fitness enthusiast in them. However the reality is quite different. Of course the importance of gym in attaining a well-defined muscular physique cannot be denied as it houses several machines that work each and every part of the body effectively. But if you cannot make it to the gym due to certain constraints then also it’s not impossible to achieve the same results at home. Your home gym setup requires only a few dumbbells, barbell rods, weight plates (optional), and of course your determination to use them. Best Home Gym Exercises to Get Fit in Your Comfort Zone Squats Lunges Deadlifts Rows Overhead press Bench press Incline bench press Pushups Bicep curl Tricep dips Dumbbell swings 1.   Squats Men performing dumbbell squats, Credit: Pixabay It is the king of all exercises that works your entire body from your lower back to your calves. It can be made difficult by adding weights and easier by decreasing the amount of load. You only need a pair of dumbbells or a barbell to perform this move. Stand straight with your legs hip-width apart. Hold a pair of dumbbells in each hand or place a barbell rod on the back of your shoulders. Keep your core tight, look ahead and lower yourself down till your hips are perpendicular to your feet. Now get back up to the starting position. Do 8-10 reps of this move. 2.   Lunges Woman performing lunges, Credit: Pixabay It is another great full body move that can be performed with dumbbells or barbells. Stand straight and hold dumbells in both your hands. Alternately you can place a barbell on your shoulders. Breathe in and step on your leg back. Now lower yourself down till the knee of your back leg almost touches the floor. Get back up and repeat the same motion on the other leg. Perform 8-10 repetitions. 3.   Deadlifts Woman performing deadlifts, Credit: Pixabay It is also a compound movement working your entire body. Keep a barbell or a pair of dumbbells in front of your legs. Bend down and hold them. Push your chest forward and keep your back straight. Brace your core and lift the barbell or dumbells from the ground. Come into a standing position, exhale, then lower back down. Repeat this movement for 8-10 repetitions. 4.   One-Arm Dumbbell Rows Man performing one-arm dumbbell row, Credit: Pixabay If you want to work your back at home, doing rows with a dumbbell  is something you should definitely try out. Take a dumbbell and bring it up to your chest. Squeeze your shoulder blades and use your back muscles rather than your shoulder to pull the dumbbell back. Now lower it down slowly. Do this motion for 8-10 repetitions. 5.   Overhead Press Woman performing overhead, Credit: Pixabay You can build boulder shoulders in the comfort of your home by using dumbbells and barbells. Stand straight with dumbbells in your hands. Lift your chest, inhale and push the dumbbell up towards the ceiling. Stop for one second then lower the dumbbell back down slowly till it’s in line with your ears. Press the dumbbells back up and repeat it for 8-10 reptions. 6.   Bench Press Man performing barbell bench press, Credit: Pixabay Holding a dumbbell or barbell in your hands, lower yourself down on a bench. Lower the dumbbells towards your chest, weight for 1-2 seconds, then push the dumbbell upwards. Now bring the dumbbell down towards your chest. Repeat this motion for 8-10 reps. 7.   Incline Bench Press Woman performing incline bench press, Credit: Pixabay Repeat the same motion as described above, but on an incline bench and not on a flat bench. Do 8-10 repetitions of the motion. You can lower down the resistance on the incline bench press. 8.   Pushups Woman performing pushups, Credit: Pixabay Take a plank position. Your whole body weight should be on your palms and toes. Brace your core and lower down your chest until your chest is hovering a few inches above the floor. Now get back up in the plank position. Repeat this motion for about 15-20 times. 9.   Bicep Curl Man performing dumbbell bicep curls, Credit: Pixabay Place a dumbbell in each of your hands, stand straight and tighten your core. Bend your elbows and bring the dumbells to your shoulders. Squeeze your bicep muscles. Now lower the dumbbells down until you are in the same starting position. Repeat it for 8-10 repetitions. 10. Tricep Dips Woman performing tricep dips, Credit: Pixabay Put your hands on the edge of a bench or table. Extend your legs a few inches forward. Now lower your body using your elbows. Your upper arm should be below 90 degrees with the forearm. Repeat for about 10-15 repetitions. 11. Dumbbell Swings Women performing dumbbell swing, Credit: Pixabay Stand in a position where your feet are shoulder width apart. Hold a dumbbell with both your hands, squat and bring the dumbbell between your legs. Get back up while bringing the dumbbell upto your chest. Repeat this motion for about 15-20 times. You can do all these exercises by purchasing weight machines for home online. You can purchase this Kore PVC 12 Kg Combo Home Gym Kit or this SX Fitness Home Gym Setup that will provide you with dumbbells and barbells. Having a set of weights along with some resistance bands will provide you with some of the best home gym ideas which otherwise will seem hard to imagine. You will be all set to crank out any intense workout in your home.

After following a healthy diet, religiously going to the gym, and abstaining from all your favorite junk food for a considerable amount of time, you may expect to look and feel your best. But that’s not often the case. People who have lost a significant amount of weight and have accomplished their inch-loss objective often find themselves staring at their loose skin in the mirror. The problem of sagging skin is especially encountered by those over 30 years of age. Younger people do not have to worry much about this issue as their skin is elastic and snaps back into shape after they get rid of the excess pounds. But does this mean that you will have to keep dealing with the sight of layers of your skin hanging around your body and causing you discomfort? Not at all! Here are some effective skin tightening tips for you to follow and see the results for yourself. How to Tighten Skin after Weight Loss? Loose skin commonly appears in and around your stomach, face, arms, buttocks, and legs. There are many ways you can deal with loose skin at home. Here are some of the best ways which you can leverage to deal with this issue effectively. Lose weight Apply firming creams Strength train Massage your skin Choose the right supplements 1.   Lose Weight Woman using inch tape on waist, Credit: Pixabay You might wonder how much more weight you need to lose. The reason behind your hanging skin is the stubborn fat that resides beneath your skin gives it a sagging look. Losing that fat is essential to tightening your skin. Exercise and eat skin tightening foods like vitamin C and vitamin A enriched fruits and vegetables like carrots, oranges, lemon, and green leafy vegetables. 2.   Apply Firming Creams Woman using a skin cream, Credit: Pixabay Firming creams contain a hefty dose of retinol and other vitamin A derivatives like tretinoin, retinoic acid, and adapalene. All this helps in increasing the cell turnover which prevents your skin from acquiring lines and wrinkles. You can use this Blue Nectar anti-aging cream that is easily available online for just Rs. 825. Other options include Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti Aging Micro Sculpting Firming Complex that is available for Rs. 1359 and Lotus Professional Phyto Rx SPF 25 Skin Firming Cream for Rs. 543. 3.   Strength Train Woman doing strength-training, Credit: Pixabay One of the best solutions to the question, how to tighten skin is to incorporate strength training in your workout regime. Building lean muscle while lifting weights will get you rid of any loose skin and shape your body effectively. Strength training removes the fat and builds hard muscle in its place. Thus, there is no worry of getting loose skin anywhere around your body. 4.   Massage Your Skin Woman having her face massage, Credit: Pixabay One of the reasons why loose skin makes its presence is because of the lack of blood circulation in a particular area. There is nothing better than a good massage to enhance your blood flow and see your skin tighten overtime. You can either message with your hand or use a handheld massager for this purpose. You can purchase this RYLAN 24K Gold Energy Beauty Bar Electric Vibration Facial Massage Roller online for Rs. 499 for this purpose. 5.   Choose the Right Supplement Woman taking a supplement, Credit: Pixabay You can try to incorporate certain supplements as part of your diet. Supplements with hyaluronic acid help in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and tightens and tones your skin. You can also add collagen powder into your water or smoothies as it is known to help in retaining skin elasticity and provide skin firming effects. Some good collagen supplements that are available online are Everpure Life Marine Collagen Supplement and OZiva Plant Based Collagen Builder. Now you won’t have to worry about the problem of loose or sagging skin after achieving your weight loss goals. If you’re currently dealing with this problem then implement the above tips and get rid of it in a short amount of time.

Losing weight is not exactly a cakewalk. But more difficult than not losing weight is when you find yourself doing everything right yet still not being able to notice the scale tilting in your favour. There are many things that need to be kept in mind while you are trying to lose weight. However, not many realize that this journey towards a fitter life can be made a lot easier by just having a good night’s sleep every day. Surprised? You may find yourself even more surprised by the fact that a direct relationship exists between sleep and weight loss. Many studies conducted in the past have repeatedly shown that dieters who slept soundly for 7-8 hours every night had fewer cravings the next day and reached their fitness goals faster than those who didn’t. Why is a good sleep so essential to maintaining a good physique? Time to find out. What’s the Connection between Sleep and Weight Loss? Woman with measurement tape, Credit: Pixabay When you have a good night’s rest, you experience optimum levels of energy the next day. You give your best to every task. Neither do you suffer from untimely energy crashes and unnecessary food cravings. Here are other ways by which a restful sleep can contribute positively to your weight loss efforts. Increased calorie burn Fewer cravings Enhanced metabolism Boosts workout performance Prevents blood sugar instability 1.   Increased Calorie Burn Woman in the gym, Credit: Pixabay When you have adequate sleep, you experience your energy levels on an all time high the next day. You remain physically active the whole day as a result of which your body keeps burning calories. You are ready to do any task that demands much physical or mental exertion. Hence, losing weight becomes easy when you are active throughout the day. 2.   Fewer Cravings Women near the fridge, Credit: Pixabay Did you know that it becomes difficult for your body to regulate your appetite when you have had a poor night’s sleep. You’re cravings for high fat and high sugar food items becomes two-fold as you suffer from frequent energy crashes throughout the day. This issue can be easily resolved by getting an uninterrupted sleep the night before. 3.   Enhanced Metabolism Woman running up the stairs, Credit: Pixabay Metabolism refers to the amount of calories your body burns when it is at a resting state. It enhances when you are well rested. Studies have shown that those who do not get adequate amounts of rest have metabolism that is 5% less than those who have. Hence, you will not be able to burn more calories through a good metabolism if you are not getting enough rest everyday. 4.   Boosts Workout Performance Woman doing a lunge, Credit: Pixabay A well rested body can easily smash an intense workout than a sleep deprived body. When you are suffering from a lack of sleep, your body directs most of its energy in maintaining your energy levels and keeping you awake. On the other hand, when you have had a good sleep the night before, your body is free of any fatigue and hence super charged to perform exercises at its peak. It automatically leads to more calorie burn and weight loss in the process. 5.   Prevents Blood Sugar Instability Blood sugar monitor, Credit: Pixabay Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for directing sugar from your blood to the cells of your body so that it can be used as energy. High levels of insulin increases your appetite and you feel hungrier than usual. A lack of sleep does exactly that. By making your body insulin resistant, it directs your body to store calories as fat. Hence, it prevents you from accomplishing your weight loss goals. Did you see how the quality of your sleep is intimately tied to your health and fitness? Consistently depriving yourself from a good night’s rest will not only ruin your weight-loss efforts but it can also make your body prone to a number of health conditions.

The gym plays an integral part in achieving the health and fitness goals of both men and women. However, the media often showcases it as the territory of male bodybuilders. As a result, women are conditioned to believe that it is something reserved for men only. It is also reflected in the way women are always depicted as relegating themselves to cardio exercises, that utilises minimal equipment while men are out pumping iron. All this has the combined effect of making women hesitant when it comes to entering a gym and lagging behind in achieving their fitness ambitions. But not anymore. This beginner gym workout female routine will help you shed that anxiousness and in the process, build the body of your dreams. If you are doing the workout at home, you can purchase equipment for strength exercises online. This Kore PVC home gym set  or this Fit Kart home gym exercise set will provide you with all the necessary weights to add resistance to your workout. Gym Workout Plan for Women Woman holding a weight, Credit: Pixabay A good workout plan at the gym for women starting out on their fitness journey consists of both cardio and strength training. This is essentially what enables them to effectively burn fat and build muscle at the same time. Women should not hesitate from lifting weights. Strength training will enhance their bone density that steadily decreases with age. Follow this beginner gym workout routine female to steadily build your way to achieving a strong and aesthetic physique. Full Body Strength Training Routine for Monday, Wednesday and Friday Woman holding barbell, Credit: Pixabay Muscle-building exercises should be done in a circuit form meaning one after the other on every alternate day starting from Monday. It should include exercises like: Squats Chest press Shoulder press Lunges Back rows Bicycle crunches Planks Leg press Leg extension The above mentioned exercises should be repeated on every alternate day barring Saturday and Sunday. Cardio Workout Plan Woman on exercise bike, Credit: Pixabay Cardio, in combination with strength training is great for speeding up your fat loss process. It is maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. Follow this cardio routine on the days you’re not lifting weights at the gym. Cardio workout for Tuesday Spend five minutes warming up your body at a moderate pace in a stationary bike. Next, cycle at a faster pace for two minutes. After it, increase your pace further and cycle at a challenging pace. Continue to cycle for two minutes at a regular pace and two minutes at a challenging pace. If you want to raise the intensity of your workout, increase the resistance when you are cycling at your fastest pace. This workout should take about 25 minutes after which you can spend five minutes in cooling down and stretching. Cardio workout for Thursday Start by warming up on the treadmill at a moderate pace for three minutes. Now increase the incline to two percent and walk at a faster pace for two minutes. After two minutes, go back to your moderate pace and walk for around two minutes. After it, raise the incline to four percent and walk or run at an increased pace. Now bring back the incline to two and walk at that pace for two minutes. Continue to increase the incline by two percent for two minutes and then walk at a moderate pace for two minutes after it. The whole workout should take around 25 minutes. End your workout by doing a five minute cool down. All the strength exercises should be performed under the guidance of the gym trainer. Start by doing bodyweight movements and when you feel your body has adjusted quite well to the motions of the exercise, start adding weights like dumbbell and barbell. Use only the amount of weight by which you can perform the exercise properly for around 8-10 repetitions. Do not exert yourself more than what your body, rather, build your way up to it.

Vitamins and minerals are essential for every individual. But their importance increases twice as much for those women who are trying to conceive. A healthy diet remains the principle way to help you gain the benefits of all the crucial micronutrients. However, it has been well-documented that women are not able to get many crucial vitamins from their diet alone. It becomes a problem when they are trying to raise a family. For women to conceive and for the proper development of the fetus, it is necessary to pay attention to consumption of adequate nutrients. Fertility vitamins and supplements come in handy at this time. Some prenatal vitamins are especially important for you at this stage. Let’s have a look at them. Which Vitamin Is Good for Getting Pregnant? Deficiency in one or the other of these vitamins will significantly lower your chances of getting pregnant. Ensure that you are getting enough of the following nutrients either through diet or through supplementation. Folic acid B vitamins Vitamin E Vitamin D Choline 1.   Folic Acid Pregnant woman taking folic acid supplement, Credit: Pixabay This vitamin is evidence backed by various researches. It enhances the fertility rates of women and is used to minimise the risks of neural tube defects in the developing baby. A 400 milligrams of folic acid should be taken daily to enhance your chances of conceiving. 2.   B Vitamins A B vitamin supplement, Credit: Pixabay You can take B vitamins supplements to get pregnant fast. The family of B vitamins effectively helps your ovaries to produce egg around ovulation. Vitamin B6 present in food items like chickpeas, leafy greens and eggs is essential to maintain pregnancy after you conceive. 3.   Vitamin E Food sources of vitamin E, Credit: Pixabay Vitamin E is crucial for ovaries and support egg quality. It is perhaps one of the best vitamins you can consume to get pregnant fast. This also helps to a large extent those women who are trying to get pregnant latter in life. It is one of the most effective fertility vitamin that women can consume. 4.   Vitamin D A vitamin D supplement, Credit: Pixabay The process of conceiving a child all begins with the right signals that are sent by the hormones in the body. A healthy functioning of the hormones is key to helping you get pregnant. Vitamin D is the best vitamin for you to regulate your hormones. It is also crucial for the optimal development of the bones and the brain of the baby. So start adding a dose of this vitamin into your diet or get out to bask in sunlight that will help your body to produce this vitamin. 5.   Choline Structure of choline, Credit: Pixabay For a healthy pregnancy to happen, the presence of choline is essential. Not only is it good for brain health of the child as well as the mother, but it also aids in minimizing birth defects in the developing child. You can find this potent nutrient in food items like cauliflowers and egg yolks. If you’re a vegetarian, you can supplement this nutrient easily. Best Fertility Pills to Get Pregnant A fertility pill being purchased, Credit: Pixabay To get pregnant fast a healthy diet, adequate rest, and exercise is essential. Taking a prenatal pill in combination these lifestyle changes will speed up the process for you to conceive a child. Here are the best fertility pills that you can use to enhance your health and become ready to get pregnant. Nature Made, Multi Prenatal , 90 Tablets NDM-01499 Carbamide Forte Prenatal Multivitamin for Pregnancy Natures Velvet Lifecare Iron and Folic Acid with Zinc Pregnacare Vitabiotics Conception SimMom IQ + Maternal Nutrition with Dha With these prenatal vitamins in combination with a healthy diet will soon balance your hormones and prime you for conceiving a child. Ensure the you’re taking the supplements after taking your doctor’s advice.

Countless people are under a major misconception when it comes to practicing yoga. They view it as a way to work up a sweat, strengthen their core muscles, and attain incredible flexibility. Hence, a mere mention of the term ‘yoga’ conjures in their mind images of extremely fit individuals performing a series of seemingly impossible yoga poses. But that’s not true. Yoga, is an ancient Indian practice that uses a set of breathing techniques along with bodily movements. In fact, the purpose of doing yoga has never been weight loss or inch loss! It is all about meditation that calms your mind. Doing yoga can help you achieve not only better health but also sleep. You can utilise yoga nidra for sleep and wake up amazingly refreshed the next day. What’s more, you don’t even have to be a superfit yoga instructor to perform yoga for good sleep. Everyone whether it be the elderly population, adults, pregnant, and even children can these moves effortlessly and benefit from a calm mind and restful sleep. Yoga for Sleep – Five Poses to Help You Unwind Woman performing a yoga pose, Credit: Pixabay Ending your day with a couple of relaxing yoga poses can benefit you in more ways than you can imagine. By facilitating a good night’s sleep, they help you to get up the next morning fully rejuvenated. Thus, your productivity is increased and you find yourself giving your best to important tasks that demand your attention. If you are finding it hard to get to sleep every night, here are some of the best poses of yoga for sound sleep that you should try incorporating in your bed time routine. Legs up the wall Legs on a chair Lying butterfly Standing forward bend Corpse pose 1.   Legs up the Wall Woman performing legs on wall pose, Credit: Pixabay Lay doewn on the ground on your back. Now put the back of your legs straight up a wall. Ensure that you are not bending them too much. Your body should be in a L shaped position. Spend some time in this position and focus on your breathing while you are in it. 2.   Legs on a Chair Chair on floor, Credit: Pixabay This is a great yoga pose for those people who find it difficult to extend their legs up the wall due to knee, hip, or lower back injuries. Place a chair at one end of the yoga mat. It should face you. Now put a towel or blanket on the chair seat. Fold it a few times. Lie down on one side of the chair in a fetal position. Go onto your back with bend knees such that your calves are resting on the seat of the chair. Ensure that your thigs are perpendicular to your shins. Relax your arms by your sides, the palms should be facing up. 3.   Lying Butterfly Woman performing lying butterfly pose, Credit: Pixabay Lay down on the ground and roll on your back. The bottoms of your feet should be pressed against each other. Permit your knees to lower down to the sides. If it feels a bit strenuous, place a pillow below your knees. 4.   Standing Forward Bend Man performing standing forward bend, Credit: Pixabay Stand near a wall, about a foot away from it. keep your feet hip width apart. Now bring down your hands towards your feet. Lower your chest down until your hands are able to touch your feet. They can also hower a few inches above them. It is a great way to relax your lower back muscles. Breathe deeply in this position. 5.   Corpse Pose Woman performing corpse pose, Credit: Pixabay Lie on your back with your legs straight. Place your arms by your side with palms facing up. Focus on your breathing during this pose. Close your eyes, inhale, and exhale. Try these easy yoga poses ever night as you hit the bed and soon you will find yourself tumbling down into a beautiful dreamy sleep!

No one is strange to the kick that caffeine provides. It is the stimulating effect of it on the brain that everyone today is addicted to coffee. But sometimes, in the midst of a busy lifestyle, you just don’t have the time to make or wait for a cup of coffee. Here, caffeine pills come to everyone’s aid. Being easily available, caffeine tablets fulfill the requirements of those who don’t like the taste of tea or coffee but want to receive the stimulating effect of these beverages. As they contain a more concentrated dose of caffeine, they hit you faster than the regular cup of coffee or tea. But are there any caffeine side effects that you can experience after taking these concentrated sources of the stimulant? How Much Caffeine Is Safe? coffee beans, Credit: Pixabay Caffeine pills contain concentrated doses of caffeine but they do not contain the beneficial compounds like L-theanine that is present in caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee. It makes you prone to the side effects of having a concentrated dose of caffeine. You can experience a caffeine crash more intensely because of the absence of these compounds. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 400 milligrams of caffeine is safe for healthy adults. Most caffeine tablets have around 100-200 milligrams of caffeine in them. So they can be safely consumed once or twice a day by many people. However, people falling in the following groups need to monitor their daily intake of caffeine as they are more prone to its side-effects. People who react strongly to caffeine effects Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant People with conditions like high blood pressure or gastroesophageal reflux disease Children below 12 years People who experience migraines Are Caffeine Pills Safe? Bottles of caffeine pills, Credit: Pixabay For the most part, yes. Many people can safely consume these pills once or twice a day depending upon how they react to the concentrated dose of caffeine in these pills. Caffeine pills weight loss is experienced by many people. Such high doses of it effectively aids in suppressing appetite and boosting energy levels. It helps to enhance the performance in the workout sessions resulting in higher calorie burn. These caffeine pills amazon can be purchased if you’re looking for a way to shed those excess pounds. Caffeine pills india price ranges anywhere between Rs. 500 – Rs. 1000. But that does not mean that you can pop these pills whenever and wherever you wish without keeping a tab on their intake. Going above the recommended dose can sometimes prove to be dangerous for your body. What Are the Benefits and Side-Effects of Caffeine Pills? A cup of coffee with a dessert, Credit: Pixabay Caffeine pills certainly offer a number of benefits like Enhanced memory power and ability to concentrate Better workout performance Relief from headaches But there are also certain side-effects of caffeine that can occur if you go above the recommended dosage or overdose like Nausea Indigestion Headache Agitation Dizziness You should consult your doctor if you feel like you have overdosed on these pills and are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above Remember that caffeine is present in many food items around you. You may consume its varying amounts without knowing from food items like chocolates, cold beverages, herbal teas like green tea and black tea, energy bars, and energy drinks. They all contribute in increasing your total intake for the day. Be mindful of these fact before you start popping these pills just to experience their energy boosting benefits.

In a few months time, it will be almost a year since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The virus shows no signs of abating anytime soon, continues to mutate, and spread at an unprecedented rate among the vast sections of the Indian population everyday. As the coronavirus case load continues to touch new grim milestones every week, every one of us sitting at our home can’t even imagine what the frontline warriors, that is, the hospital staff must be going through. They are helping people to battle the pandemic and putting their lives at risk everyday. Many of them have even sacrificed their lives in this process. Spending a moment to reflect and feel grateful for these people is something that many people have forgotten to do nowadays. However, Google with its thank you coronavirus helpers google doodle has directed our focus to the tremendous work being done by doctors, nurses, security men, drivers, and cleaners everyday. Google Honors Frontline Workers with Thank You Coronavirus Helpers Doodle healthcare workers in hospital, Credit: Pixabay Google has announced that it is launching a doodle series to appreciate the ongoing work by the frontline workers. It is also aimed to spread awareness regarding the virus and make people understand how important it is that they do not forget to take precautions everyday. As of now, coronavirus has taken the lives of more than 90,000 people in the country. It continues to impact the elderly population and those with existing health conditions more severely than others. Although its vaccine is underway, the chances of it being available for the general population do seem visible this year. In the absence of a vaccine, the only way by which we all can stay healthy is by following the advice of doctors like wearing a mask, washing hands, and adhering to social distancing norms. How the Google Doodle Displays the Appreciation for Frontline Warriors healthcare workers in hospital, Credit: Pixabay Google displays its gratitude for all the healthcare staff in a unique way through its doodle. It’s another aim is also to spread awareness regarding the necessity of following the precautions and social distancing norms. In the two ‘o’ in Google feature helpers who are making it possible to achieve essential services in these trying times. We all know how the strict lockdown has made it extremely hard for us to avail all the services on which we are heavily dependent. You can see caricatures of a police officer, fireperson, doctors and nurses, lawyers, bureaucrats, cleaners, and public transport personnel. They are all being thanked with a big heart that is present at the centre of this doodle. Google doodle in its note says “As covid 19 continues to impact communities around the world, people are coming together to help one another now more than ever”. Through this effort, it reminds us to always remain grateful for our health and help others in need. Have you seen this Google doodle? What are your thoughts on Google’s effort to honour the frontline staff that is in such a critical situation during these times?

We live in an age where health facilities abound. However, as our species progresses and evolves so does the complications within our bodies. There are a ton of diseases and disorders about which the common man is blissfully unaware of. Meigs syndrome belongs to this huge category of lesser known and talked about illnesses. The name may sound unfamiliar and you might have no clue as to what this disease may lead to. Let us explore it in greater detail. Meigs syndrome was discovered and identified by Joe Vincent Meigs in 1937. He was an American obstetrician and gynecologist who identified a series of patients suffering from this syndrome. After carefully studying this case series he came forward with the description of what is called as the meigs syndrome. What Is Meigs Syndrome? Illustration of women’s reproductive system, Credit: Canva The three defining characteristics of meigs syndrome are: Ascites, or the unusually large accumulation of fluid in the stomach region. Pleural effusion, or the more than usual amount of fluid that gets accumulated in the fluid-filled space called the pleural cavity around the lungs. Benign tumours that develop in the ovary. When Meigs discovered his syndrome, he limited the diagnosis to encompass only benign and solid tumours in the ovary along with pleural effusion and ascites. According to him, the removal or elimination of the tumours could cure the person who was afflicted with it. After reading about this peculiar disorder, you might be intrigued to know, How common is Meigs syndrome? It is normal for anyone to wonder about its occurrence in people. Meigs syndrome is a very rare disorder and occurs mainly in women who are in the post menopausal stage of their lives. It has been reported in only 1-2% of the women. What Causes Meigs Syndrome? Stomach of a woman, Credit: Canva As mentioned earlier, meigs syndrome consists of ascites, pleural effusion, and tumour in the ovary. It is believed that its removal will treat this disorder. It is because in this condition the ascitic fluid is prone to spreading in the pleural space or the pleural cavity through the presence of tiny apertures in a person’s diaphragm. The excessive amounts of fluid or the pleural effusion is observed to be right-sided in almost 70% of the reported cases. It is observed bilateral or on both sides in almost 20% of the reported cases and left-sided in nearly 10% of the reported cases. This syndrome is characterised by benign tumours that develop in the ovary. According to WHO histological classification of ovarian tumors benign tumours fall into the category of endometrioid tumours. Many pathologists make ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids responsible for this condition. As of now, no concrete connection to the causes of this illness is known. It may be because this condition is still being researched intensely in medical circles. What Are the Symptoms of Meigs Syndrome? Fatigued woman, Credit: Canva The symptoms of this syndrome are the features that are related to pleural effusion and ascites. There can be many menstrual-like symptoms before a woman is nearing her menopause. Women chiefly experiences the following: Frequent exhaustion Difficulty in taking breaths or dyspnoea Pain in the pelvic region or bloating Constipation Swollen stomach region along with weight gain or weight loss Dry or non-productive cough. It is a kind of cough that is characterized by an absence of mucus-like substance called sputum. Amenorrhoea, that is the irregularity of periods Meigs Syndrome – Differential Diagnosis The symptoms of meigs syndrome are similar to the ones experienced in other conditions. Its major differential diagnosis is with ovarian tumours that are malignant. It is because these tumours are very frequently observed in women and have a tendency to produce ascites. The confusion is due to the presence of benign tumour in the ovary in the meigs syndrome. This leads one to the question Can a benign ovarian tumor cause ascites? The answer to this question is yes, meigs syndrome can be caused by the formation of benign ovarian tumour that is linked to abdominal ascites. Also, pleural effusion is less common in ovarian tumours that are malignant. Summing up, one can say that if a woman is not diagnosed with ovarian cancer the probability of meigs syndrome strengthens. Other considerations for the differential diagnosis include Cancers, especially colon cancer Breast cancer Tuberculosis Congestive heart failure, or the inability of the heart to pump blood Nephrotic syndrome, or damage to the blood vessels present in the kidney Cirrhosis, or chronic liver damage Investigation and Treatment of Meigs Syndrome Team of surgeons, Credit: Canva For investigating this disorder, doctors may check the protein levels in your urine. You will have to undergo blood tests like that of U&E, FBC, LFTs consisting of plasma proteins. Women who are diagnosed with this syndrome harbour elevated levels of cancer antigen 125 in serum and pleural fluid. An ultrasound of the abdominal region will be done that will show the presence of ascites. Along with this, CT scan of the chest, pelvis, abdomen, and MRI of the pelvis is also done. If the presence of congestive heart failure is suspected the patient will be required to undergo ECG. For managing this syndrome, the only way that is prescribed is the elimination of the tumour that exists in the ovary. However, before the patient is operated for it aspiration of ascites and pleural effusion becomes necessary. It is to enhance the functioning of the lungs. The operation consists of laparotomy. Laparotomy is the surgery whereby incisions on the wall of the abdominal region are made to make the abdominal cavity accessible. If this syndrome is detected in women who fall in the reproductive age group, then a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is done. In post-menopausal women, complete abdominal hysterectomy along with salpingo-oophorectomy is done. Generally, it is observed that after the operation, this condition resolves gradually. The cancer antigen 125 levels also come back to normal. The prognosis of meigs syndrome is good because it is characterized mainly by benign tumour in the ovary. If the tumour was malignant then the prognosis would not have been good. After the operation, women who fall in the reproductive age group face no problem with regards to their fertility.

Blood clotting, how many of you have come across this peculiar sounding term? Although used often in medical circles, it is a process that happens inside the human body while doing many activities on an everyday basis. To a layman, it is not easy to determine what this process entails, what are the various clotting factors, and what is its significance in the human body. This article will make this seemingly incomprehensible process much easier for you to understand. Consider this situation. You are engaged in some work at your office or home and suddenly you accidentally brush your hand against a sharp object. You will find only a small amount of blood oozing out of your skin. Gradually, this blood flow decreases and eventually stops. What happened to this blood? How did it stop? What if it had not stopped? Well, it is due to the coagulation of blood which stopped you from bleeding to death. Let us look into coagulation and clotting factors in greater detail. What Is Blood Coagulation? Illustration of blood coagulation, Credit: Canva According to physiology experts, blood coagulation entails the entire process through which the formation of a blood clot takes place. The blood clot is formed to stop the process of blood loss from a ruptured vessel in your body. It is a three-part process that can be explained by the following: The formation of a platelet plug Whenever you get an injury, the platelets that circulate in your bloodstream begin to respond to it. They join together and collectively release chemicals that commence the next stage of this process. Clotting cascade Here, there is a change in the state of molecules from inactive to active states. It is due to the combined effect of the injury and platelet activity. This leads to the development of fibrin which is a mesh of protein that resembles a net. It works to reinforce the platelet plug and captures the blood cells that are passing. Clot dissolution In the last part of this process, clot dissolution leads to blood flow friction as the liver eliminates the pro-clotting chemicals. It results in the stimulation of chemicals that generate a clot-dissolving enzyme, which is called plasmin. What Are the Factors in Blood Clotting? Blood clotting in human body, Credit: Canva As you know, it is only because of the process of coagulation that you remain protected from excessive blood loss. This process is the result of a series of coagulation factors that are also called clotting factors. It is only due to the stepwise activation of these clotting factors that you are able to experience the process of blood coagulation. A string of steps contributes to the formation of the protein fiber fibrin. Do you know how many clotting factors are there due to which blood loss is stopped? There are 13 factors. Let us look into them in greater detail. What Are the 13 Blood Clotting Factors? Factor 1. – Fibrinogen Factor 2. – Prothrombin Factor 3. – Tissue Thromboplastin Factor 4. – Calcium Ions Factor 5. – Labile Factor or Proaccelerin Factor 6. – Stable Factor Factor 8. – Antihemophilic Factor Factor 9. – Christmas Factor Factor 10. – Stuart – Power Factor Factor 11. – Plasma Thrombin antecedent Factor 12. – Hageman Factor Factor 13. – Fibrin Stabilising Factor These clotting factors together interact and lead to the coagulation cascade. All these clotting factors are present in an inactive state for blood clotting to happen, they are to be activated. They are activated in the three stages of the clotting formation. When the thrombin is changed to fibrin, it stabilizes the platelet plug. It is called a clot. When the ruptured vessel is repaired, the clot is automatically eliminated. It is digested by the plasmin enzyme in your body. Are Clotting Factors Proteins? Illustration of blood clotting, Credit: Canva All the clotting factors are proteins that are circulating in the blood. They are indispensable for clot formation to happen. Remember that except for factor 4, that is, Calcium Ions, all the other factors are protein. They all are necessary for the formation of fibrin. Have you ever wondered why they are numbered like this? It is because they were discovered in that order. Factor 4 which is Calcium Ions is a cofactor that is vital for the activation of various proteins. Without coagulation of blood, your blood vessels cannot be repaired. Your body will not be able to repair the damage caused to the vessels due to injury in the absence of blood clotting. As you know, all the 13 coagulation factors are essential for the clotting process to take place. Without their aid, it is impossible for you to revive from blood loss. Note that some of the clotting factors like factor 2, 9, 7, and 10 are produced by your liver with the help of vitamin K. Hence, you should consume food sources that are rich in vitamin K for the efficient production of these clotting factors. The significance of these factors cannot be ignored as blood clotting is a vital process that saves you from small accidents becoming life threatening. Hence, you should pay adequate attention to your diet to ensure that your liver is efficiently producing the requisite factors for it.

For women, becoming pregnant and building a family is one of the most important decisions of their life and requires much thought and consideration. Unwanted pregnancy does not make anyone happy. Besides, continuing pregnancy despite having a condition that puts your health at risk is also not feasible. That is why the use of contraceptives is highly recommended. If, by chance, you get pregnant, then medical abortion is the only way by which you can end your pregnancy. Medical abortion makes the use of two abortion pills which collectively come under the unwanted kit. Opting for medical abortion is a choice that can result in major physical and mental consequences. Women who are considering it should make themselves properly aware of its process, the side effects they will have to face, and the risks and complications they may develop. The unwanted kit, comprising of mifepristone and misoprostol is what makes medical abortion possible. Women can choose to abort their pregnancy to complete an early miscarriage. They can also opt for it to end an unwanted pregnancy. Alternatively, many women cannot sustain a pregnancy due to an underlying medical condition. They can also have medical abortion to keep their health intact and save themselves from undesirable health complications in future. Let us explore in greater detail about medical abortion through pills. Unwanted Kit – What Is It? The unwanted kit is a combination of pills mifepristone and misoprostol that are collectively used to help women abort their pregnancies. If you are opting to use the unwanted kit, then you should not be beyond 9-11 weeks pregnancy. Unwanted kit price is usually around Rs. 175 at most pharmacies. It is also found online in different websites. Mifepristone, the first abortion pill in this kit blocks your pregnancy hormone that is required for the pregnancy to continue. The next pill, misoprostol, relaxes the cervix and makes the uterus contract so that the pregnancy gradually ends. How Does Unwanted Kit Work? Woman consuming a pill, Credit: Canva As mentioned above, this kit is a pack of two medicines. Here is how both the pills work to help you end your pregnancy. Mifepristone obstructs the effect of the hormone progesterone in your body. This hormone is crucial for the pregnancy to develop. In its absence, your pregnancy cannot proceed further. This pill prepares your uterus to start contracting. It also makes your cervix soft and dilate. After you administer this pill the results will take upto 24-48 hours to show. Misoprostol is the next pill that you should take after mifepristone. It will help your cervix to further soften and dilate. Moreover, it will also cause your uterus or the womb to contract further. All these actions end up in helping you end your pregnancy. Misoprostol’s effects can be felt within an hour of its usage. In some women it can take more than one hour. Unwanted kit – dosage This kit contains one mifepristone pill that is of 200 mg and four misoprostol pills that are around 200 mcg each. However, you should consult your doctor for the dosage that you should take as it varies according to how far you are in your pregnancy. Here is the recommended dosage of the unwanted kit for women in various stages of pregnancy. For women who are under six weeks pregnant, the suggested dosage by the doctors is 1 mifepristone pill and 4 misoprostol pills. However, some women may need an extra four misoprostol pills. For women who are nine weeks pregnant, the unwanted kit dosage is 1 mifepristone pill and 4 misoprostol pills. Again, some women may need an extra dosage of 4 misoprostol pills in addition to the four pills recommended above. For women who are in 9-11 weeks of the pregnancy the dosage remains the same as prescribed above. However, to successfully terminate a pregnancy you should have eight misoprostol pills. How to Use Unwanted Kit? Woman holding a pill, Credit: Canva You can administer unwanted kit tablets in the following way: Consume one mifepristone pill. It should be followed by four misoprostol pills after a gap of one to three days. Note that mifepristone pill is to be used orally while misoprostol pills are for vaginal use. These tablets show results only when a woman is in the initial phases of her pregnancy. She should be around 63 days pregnant. Do not, at any cost, self-medicate using these tablets. It is advised to use them only after a thorough consultation with your doctor. After you consume these pills you will experience vaginal bleeding for around a period of roughly two weeks. It is very normal and you should not get too anxious over it. How Can I Take Unwanted Kit Tablet? Woman holding a pill, Credit: Canva If you are using the unwanted kit for the first time you might find yourself getting confused. The reason is that no medicine package contains two different kinds of pills. It is only normal for any woman to wonder, how can I take unwanted kit? It is not difficult. You need to first take one mifepristone pill with water and wait for about 24-48 hours before taking the next pill. Sometimes, it so happens that some women begin to throw up after swallowing mifepristone pills. In such cases, they need to take another same pill as the previous one that they had taken did not work. Next, you need to put four misoprostol pills below your tongue and then wait for some time for them to start dissolving. It is likely that these pills will dissolve completely after 30 minutes. You can now drink some water to swallow the residual parts of the pill. What Are the Side Effects of Taking Unwanted kit? Woman feeling nauseated, Credit: Canva There are many side effects that you may have to experience after you consume the tablets present in the unwanted kit. But this does not entail that it is harmful for your health. Medical abortion is one of the safest methods that is used by millions of women to end an early pregnancy. However, your body needs to adjust to the medicines and as part of this process, you are bound to experience certain side effects. Some of the most common side effects that women experience after administering these pills are: Nausea Upset stomach Frequent vomiting Frequent bowel movements Stomach cramps Contractions in the uterus Heavy bleeding from the vagina These symptoms gradually disappear and you should not be worried too much about them. To relieve pain in the stomach you can take some prescription medication. But these symptoms should not prevail for long. If they do, consult your doctor immediately without wasting any time. The unwanted kit tablets are present in different shapes everywhere around the world. You should choose to purchase it only if your pregnancy has not gone beyond 9-11 weeks. However, do not make the mistake of administering them on your own. Reach out to your doctor if you are planning to abort your pregnancy and communicate with them openly about your health. Follow the right sequence when you consume these pills and your abortion will be successful.