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If there is one thing more annoying than waiting for your hair to grow longer, it is having dry hair.  Nobody likes dry hair, especially the way it makes the hair feel and look. The only good thing about dry hair is that it can easily be taken care of. All it takes is to realise the root cause for your dry hair and take steps to cure it. 1. Chemical Services Regular chemical services on the hair remove the protective layer of the hair and penetrate the middle, cortex layer. The cortex layer contains the cells that affect the strength, colour, and texture of the hair. Chemicals alter these structures to change the appearance of the hair. If you are not careful, getting permanent colour especially lighter shades can cause severe dryness in your hair. 2. Overexposure to Heat Staying out in the sun for long hours can lead to your hair drying out. When you plan on being out in the sun for such long periods, it is best to either keep your hair tied up or protect it from the radiation using a hat or scarf. Caption: Woman exposing her hair to heat using a hair dryer Credits: Wallpaperflare Not only the sun, heat from various tools used on the hair such as hair dryer, hair straightener etc also cause severe damage to hair. Using too much heat on the hair dries out the hair and makes it brittle. Only use heat in your hair on special occasions and use a heat protectant that won’t weigh the hair down. 3.    Nutrition Poor nutrition and diets that lack vitamins and proteins cause hair to become unhealthy, dry, and brittle. Consuming too much fat and sugar does not really affect your hair unless you exclusively eat sugar and fat alone. A diet must include a balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and plenty of water to keep hair shiny and healthy. A body that is malnourished due to illness or lack of food cannot produce healthy hair because it does not have the nutrients and building blocks necessary to grow strong hair. Under these conditions, hair not only becomes dry and brittle, it also starts falling out. 4. Not Drinking Enough Water Though your hair is made of dead cells, your hair follicles are always alive and are creating cells that require hydration to produce stronger cells. Drinking water is the best solution to most of the health problems. Staying hydrated makes the hair look healthy and glossy. You wouldn’t even need chemical treatments! Caption: Couple consuming water for their good health Credits: Wallpaperflare Not drinking enough water can cause dry hair as well as dry skin. Drinking at least 3-4 litres of water everyday can-do wonders for the hair. 5. Shampooing More Than Necessary Shampooing once on wash day is usually enough. Excessive washing can cause the hair to lose its natural oils. Hair must be washed with warm water to easily remove the dirt and a good shampoo must be applied to the scalp. It is also important to keep a check on the quality of your shampoo. Harsh shampoos can also be a major factor causing dry and brittle hair. The Wrap Up There are many reasons to dry and brittle hair, some of which can be serious. All these causes are similar to each other as they all in turn affect hormonal levels, which affects hair strength and growth. Medical treatments for major illnesses, surgery, transplants, and bypasses also cause brittle hair. Over explosion towards heat and chemicals for various hair treatments and improper care can create havoc to your healthy hair. If regular care is neglected, the damage could gradually worsen until the structural stoutness of the hair breaks down.

Covid 19 has been wreaking havoc in the world since the outbreak began. It has already infected 7 million people in the world out of which more than 400000 have died. India has had a rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases with cases crossing 2.5 lakh. India has taken strict measures to try and contain the spread of the virus but there are some countries whose actions have turned out to be more effective. As of 9th June 2020. New Zealand has reported zero active cases and have announced that the country is going back to normal. Let us see what these countries have done to contain the virus. Here are 6 countries that have handled Covid 19 better than India New Zealand New Zealand took strict measures to ensure that the virus is contained in the country. They focused on eliminating the transfer of the virus by strict social distancing measures. The country closed its international borders barring anyone but citizens to enter. On the domestic front, they followed a strict 7 week lockdown which allowed only essential services to operate. The country also had a very high testing rate. For a total of 1154 positive coronavirus patients, they have already conducted more than 2,90,000 tests. This high degree of testing played an essential role in curbing the spread of the virus. Experts believe that New Zealand’s low population density of 15 people per sq km has greatly helped them in containing the spread of the virus but the government and people of New Zealand deserve credit. Their rapid and strict regulations have allowed them to win the fight against Covid 1 Taiwan Taiwan is a country that had thousands of people travelling to and fro from mainland China when the outbreak began. Yet the country has had only 410 total cases so far. Taiwan’s success is attributed to their rapid response to the outbreak. They were one of the first countries in the world to start taking measures against the coronavirus. Taiwan was one of the worst hit countries in the Sars outbreak 17 years ago and since then the country has been preparing to respond better to outbreaks. Their model focused on screening all incoming passengers. Taiwan’s officials started boarding incoming flights to screen passengers for symptoms. The suspected patients were screened on arrival. This significantly reduced the potential of a virus carrier to affect more people. Taiwan linked patient medical history files to immigration records to ensure that anyone with a travel history can be monitored. Any Taiwanese citizen that is under home quarantine is delivered cooked food and other essentials along with visits from health care professionals. There are strict fines imposed on individuals who hide their symptoms. This rapid model allowed Taiwan to stop the virus from spreading in their country. Credits: Pexels Caption: Taiwan’s massive data monitoring helped them in dealing with the Coronavirus. Alt Text: A lot of servers. South Korea South Korea is one of the biggest success stories in battling the coronavirus. The country was able to do it because of their preparedness. South Korea had an approach of test, trace and isolate and the country was technologically advanced enough to do that. The second most important factor was their large stockpile of equipment required to battle viruses. When the first cluster of cases was reported in a church, the authorities quarantined everyone and started tracing and testing individuals who had come in contact with them. South Korea also brought in innovative testing methods such as walk in testing clinics which were very effective. The country has flattened its curve with the help of their technological innovations and availability of virus tackling equipment. Germany Germany has the highest population in the European Union. Their death rate is lower than some of the other countries such as Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Germany has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It has one of the highest concentrations of hospitals and Intensive care units per capita in the world. The testing in Germany has been very well documented. This allows easy tracing of coronavirus cases. Germany has conducted more than 4.3 million tests for coronavirus so far. One major worrying factor for India has been the travel of migrant workers due to economic hardships. When these workers were forced to venture home, they were breaking lockdown and social distancing norms which are essential to contain the virus. The migrants did not seem to have a choice but in Germany, the economic help was massive. If you are a coronavirus patient in Germany then you do not have to pay rent or taxes. These can be paid years later once you are free from the problem. Moreover, the country is providing financial support to freelancers and artists who do not have livelihoods anymore. To ensure that no one loses jobs, the German government is providing massive loans to small and large businesses. This economic stimulus has allowed Germans to stay at home and be financially secure, something which Indian migrant workers and others are lacking. Credits: Pexels Caption: The effective financial aid allowed people to stay at home in Germany. Alt Text: A man holding a sign. Australia Australia has had just over 7200 cases. Australia has been successful in dealing with the coronavirus with the country flattening its curve. Australia announced travel restrictions not allowing foreigners to enter the country and imposed a strict lockdown. The country was successful because it started with rapid testing. The country has performed more than 1.7 million tests and have been successful in tracing the coronavirus cases. Experts believe that Australia’s significantly low population density of 3.2 people per square kilometre, which rises to 172 people per sq km in some densely populated areas is still quite low when compared to countries such as India. Strict social distancing measures paired with rapid testing have helped Australia in containing the virus. Vietnam Vietnam was one of the 1st countries to confirm a coronavirus case outside of China. The country has had just 332 cases and zero deaths. Vietnam is a country which relies heavily on foreign trade yet they have managed to contain the virus. This is attributed to the strictness imposed by the country. The government of vietnam used its military to enforce a strict lockdown. The use of the military ensured that there were no lockdown violators. Moreover, the quarantined tens of thousands of people in camps to contain the virus. Vietnam’s response has faced some scrutiny but has been very effective. Credits: Pexels Caption: Vietnam used the military to implement a strict lockdown. Takeaway These countries have handled the pandemic better than India but their smaller and less dense populations have also played a part in that. In a country like India with a massive population and a high population density  of 464 people per sq km social distancing is difficult. However, to flatten the curve there are lessons to be learned from these countries.

Almost everyone is fascinated by the cuteness, tenderness, pureness, and delicateness of babies but they are far more fascinating than one would assume. Here are some interesting facts about an infant’s brain: 1) Your baby’s brain is not fully developed at birth As human beings have gotten smarter, due to evolution, the brains have also gotten bigger over time. The genetic largeness of human heads has progressively made pregnancy a little tricky. This is because the baby’s head size has to be of a size that will ensure it’s passage through the human birth canal during birth. Moreover, the weight of the head also serves as a metabolic burden on the mother. Thus, human infants are born before their brain has been fully developed with a bigger head. Credit:pxfuel Caption: newborn baby Alt tag : baby, girl, sleep 2) They possess more neurons than adults After a baby has just been born, they will possess around 100 billion neurons. This means that infants have twice as many neurons as adults while having twice as small of a brain. During this time, these neurons will excessively connect and form networks with one another and create trillions of connections and synapses. This is the sole reason why babies can pick up and learn a tremendous amount of things, especially in the first year of their life. However, the infant brain makes more connections than actually required and eventually, after 3-4 years, the infant’s brain will grow in size and the number of neurons starts to decrease by getting rid of the weaker synaptic. This process in which the brain eliminates the extra neurons and synaptic connections is known as synaptic pruning. Thus, is advisable to expose the infant to as much learning as possible while ensuring abundant sleep and playtime, during this period. In a matter of three years, the infant brain eventually becomes twice as active as an adult’s brain with around 20,000 synapses per neuron. During the baby and toddler years, the most highly evolved area of the brain creates two million new synapses per second. By age three, the child’s brain is actually twice as active as an adult’s. It has some 15,000 synapses or connections per neuron, many more than in the adult brain. Caption: Comparison between the infant and adult brain activity. 3) The infant brain develops at an incredible rate The infant brain grows at an incredibly fast rate. In fact, an infant is born with only one-third the size of an adult brain but within a matter of 90 days, it doubles up it’s volume and develops at a high speed. By the end of this process, it forms upto 55 percent of the normal brain size. The fastest growing structure of the brain is in the region which is involved in controlling movement. The area is known as the cerebellum and in 3 months, this structure will be 110% bigger than it was at birth. Moreover, during every second of your baby’s early months, numerous synapses are formed as the brain neurons develop and continuously form connections by creating two million new synapses per second. Another reason for this rate of development is because infants are now born at an early stage in their development. Due to this, the brain has still not been developed and thus necessary and important developments still continue to take place after birth. This usually lasts for about three years and once this period is over the human brain will never be able to grow as rapidly as it did ever again. Credit: Neepix Alt tag: baby eating Caption: metabolic activity from glucose consumption 4) Brain growth consumes a considerable amount of the baby’s calories Every part of our body typically requires energy to do work, be it growth, repair, or modification. This energy is obtained by burning the calories that is present in the human body. It is similar to burning fuel or coal for energy. Thus if an infant’s brain is developing excessively, at such a high rate, then the body is bound to utilise a lot of energy to carry out this process- It utilises around 60% of the baby’s metabolic energy which is mainly obtained from glucose consumption. This is a comparatively large amount considering that adults only use 20% of the body’s metabolic energy. Credit: pixabay Alt tag : mother son baby Caption: inability to focus 5) The brain is easily overstimulated In addition to having a large number of brain cells and numerous synapses, the infant’s brain is also wired to function, comprehend and retain information differently. It is wired in such a way which makes the baby sensitive to sensations and they are unable to screen out unrequired or unfocused stimulations. Thus, the baby’s brain is constantly overstimulated. To get a clearer understanding, if you’re having a conversation with a person when there’s background music playing, you would be able to tune out the music and concentrate on what the person is saying. However, your baby is unable to perform this “automatic” or ” natural function” and as a result, it makes it very hard for them to focus on one thing. This is why baby’s are usually very observant as they could be drawn to numerous things with just a glimpse. Overstimulation also causes infants to get overwhelmed which usually results in crankiness and crying. One of the reasons for overstimulation or lack of focus is because the infant is new to the world and is not aware of all the worldly things and worldly functions. Thus, their brain has to still form synapses or connections with every little thing they come across. Yes, in a way you could consider them to be cute, cuddly, observant little aliens in the first three years of their lives. For example, when you are out at a park with your baby, he could be having a conversation with the plant and trees around you. Credit: flickr Alt tag : oyster class visit Caption: Bilingual babies excell in school 6) They can easily pick up languages When you study, it is believed that you need to mentally get your brain into that “study zone” and it takes about 20 – 45mins. The brains of infants are in this constant state to learn and retain information due to the developing nerve cells that are in their most active state. This is precisely why babies are capable of learning any language. In addition, as bilingual children begin to mature, they will possess a better attention span and focus, especially in their school work, as neurons are constantly active when you have to switch a language or translate it to your understanding. Not only are babies capable, at birth, of learning any language, those babies who are spoken to regularly in two or more languages also have better executive function later in life, specifically the ability to control attention to conflicting perceptual or representational features of a problem. In other words, bilingual children have better attention or focus, which bodes well for school and work performance. Credit: pexels Alt tag : crop mother playing with baby Caption: more responsive to humans 7) Babies are drawn to responsive objects Infants react and are more drawn to things that respond back to them as they are still trying to explore and figure out human and environmental connection. This is why it is not advisable to use educational videos or technology as a form of teaching during the earlier stages. The infant is very observant and they often experiment on human reaction. For example, if the baby sticks its tongue out, he will try to observe or look for a reaction from you. Infants also often use imitations to find this reaction. If a person is responsive, the baby will immediately be drawn to or get fond of the person. This is usually why when the mother leaves the room, the baby starts to cry. It is also an indication that the long term memory has started to develop when the baby is able to recognise and identify the mother. This is when emotional connections start to form.

Cardiac diseases or Cardiovascular diseases are a set of disorders which affect the functioning of the human heart. They are one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. In India, cardiac diseases cause an estimated 2.8 million deaths per year making them the biggest cause of death. The common cardiac diseases are heart attack, coronary artery disease, stroke and more. Most people have many questions about these diseases due to their complicated nature. Here are 7 frequently asked questions about cardiovascular diseases. How are Smoking and Cardiac Diseases Linked? Smoking is harmful to the body in many ways but if you are suffering from a cardiac disease it can be really dangerous. Cigarettes contain nicotine which has many harmful effects on the body. Some of these are: Reducing oxygen supply to the heart Increasing blood pressure Increasing the possibility of clot formation Damaging cells present in the coronary arteries Smoking has also been linked with causing cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of hypertension. If you are a smoker and are suffering from a cardiac disease, you should immediately move towards quitting it. Studies report that smoking is linked to 30% of the cardiac diseases based on deaths in the United States. It is a big no for people suffering from a heart condition. Which Factors Increase the Risk of Cardiac Diseases? There are studies which show that some people are more likely to suffer from cardiac diseases rather than others. These risk factors are a combination of disease conditions and lifestyle choices. The following factors increase the risk of cardiac diseases: Improper diet Lack of Physical Activity If you suffer from the above-mentioned conditions then you are at higher risk of suffering from cardiac diseases. Ensure that you are aware of the activities that can be done to manage your disease conditions so that the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases can be lowered. What kind of diet should be followed? Diet plays a very important role in managing cardiac diseases. There are specific dietary changes that have to be made to ensure that the condition does not get worse. The following tips can be helpful: Increase vegetable content in your diet. Credits: Pexels Caption: Your diet must contain vegetables. Alt Text: A pile of vegetables Consume lean proteins. Eat complex carbohydrates, especially whole grains. Reduce fat and trans fat intake. Decrease the amount of salt you take. Avoid high cholesterol food items. Dietary changes are part of the treatment for cardiac diseases and have to be followed. An improper diet significantly increases the damage that cardiac diseases can cause. What are the Symptoms of Cardiac Diseases? There are some common symptoms which can be observed in patients suffering from heart disease. Not all of these symptoms need to be observed in each patient. Chest pain Difficulty in Breathing Increased heart rate Feeling dizzy Lightheadedness Slow heartbeat Loss of appetite Restlessness Abnormal sleep patterns Most cardiovascular diseases require immediate treatment. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms then you should seek immediate medical help. Can Cardiac Diseases be Hereditary? Cardiac diseases are not exactly hereditary but having a family history increases the risk of heart conditions. This situation arises because there is no conclusive evidence on what causes heart disease. Expats believe that genetic factors do play a role in it. If you have a family history of cardiac diseases then you are more likely to develop them but it does not mean that you will get it. A doctor will ask you about your family history of cardiac diseases. If anyone in your family has had cardiac conditions then you should get tested and ensure that you maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid them. Credits: Pexels Caption: A family history of cardiac disease increases your chance of suffering from it. Alt text: A mother and child walking. How Does Weight Affect Cardiac Diseases? Weight plays a vital role in your overall health. If you are overweight then you are at a much higher risk of developing cardiac conditions. In case you are already suffering from cardiac disease than being overweight is even riskier. Being overweight decreases high-density lipid content in the body which is now recognised as a contributing factor to heart diseases. It also puts increased pressure on your cardiovascular system which can lead to severe complications. Maintaining an ideal weight is very important and you should focus on achieving that goal. Can Cardiac Diseases Be Left Untreated? The answer is No. Cardiac diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. If you leave them untreated then they can develop severe complications and result in fatalities. If you have a cardiac disorder then you should seek medical help. There are treatment options available from which doctors can choose the best treatment for you. Treatment is necessary. Credits: Pexels Caption: Cardiac disorders require medical intervention. Alt Text: Different types of pills. Takeaway Cardiac diseases require you to live in a healthy lifestyle. Some activities can be very harmful and have to be avoided. The number of individuals suffering from cardiac disease in India is increasing rapidly. An unhealthy lifestyle is a factor which contributes to this. Be aware of cardiac diseases and what you can do to maintain your cardiac health.

Migraine pain can be extreme, debilitating and pulsating and can hamper your daily activities. We all experience mild to severe forms of headaches during our lifetime. While most of the headaches tend to go away with a simple massage, rest or pain-killers, some headaches like migraines require extensive management. What Is Migraine Headache? Migraine is the most common neurological condition typically characterized by recurrent headaches that are often moderate to severe. It is a primary headache disorder, recognized by a pulsatile throbbing sensation in the head mostly on the unilateral side. Migraine headaches are one of the most common causes of absenteeism at work, and school which adversely affects the productivity of an individual. Migraine is associated with various comorbidities causing a greater degree of disability. The pain frequency and intensity of migraine varies from person to person and may accompany symptoms like vomiting, nausea, sensitivity to light and visual disturbances. Health Risks Associated With Migraines 1.  Stroke Caption: Stroke due to migraine Credits: pixabay Alt tags: Picture showing a man suffering from stroke Research studies have suggested migraine to increase the likelihood of stroke. Stroke is a medical emergency condition where a part of the brain is damaged due to loss of blood supply. This is due to this inflammation inside your arteries which may result in blood clot, vasoconstriction, neurogenic inflammation and hypercoagulability. All of which may increase your risk of stroke. Coronary Artery Disease Caption: A woman holding her chest due to pain Credits: pixabay Alt tags: Coronary artery disease, pain Individuals with migraine headaches are at potential risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. It has been found that migraine with aura (a reversible set of neurologic symptoms arises before the migraine headache) can cause thickening of arteriolar small vessels and structural abnormalities in the heart like patent and foramen ovale (PFO). Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. Another possible reason behind migraine affecting your heart involves endothelial dysfunction and reduced level of endothelial progenitor cells. Visual symptoms Caption: Blurred vision due to migraine Credits: pixabay Alt tags: Blurred picture Migraine is preceded or accompanied by a variety of visual symptoms. Patients with migraine suffer from reduced blood flow in the retinal area or behind the eye which may result in several visual symptoms, such as “visual blurring”, “retinal migraine”, “ophthalmoplegic migraine”, photophobia, palinopsia, and “visual snow”. These visual problems are reversible and remain only for a short time Sleep Disorders Caption: Woman feeling difficult to sleep Credits: pixabay Insomnia is by far the most common sleep disorder in migraine patients. Sleep disorders linked to migraine include insomnia, restless leg syndrome,  snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, irregularity in circadian rhythm, and narcolepsy. Evidence based research studies have concluded that serotonin levels are quite low in people with migraines,  but when migraine attacks serotonin levels significantly rise, contributing to the night awakenings. It has also reported that migraineurs with insomnia, are associated with a dysfunction in the brainstem that interferes with sleep stages. Obesity Caption: Obese man checking his readings Credits: pixabay Alt tags: obesity The association between obesity and migraine is found to be multifactorial and involves both central and peripheral mechanisms. It has been found that migraine stimulates the hypothalamus of the brain that controls hunger and bioactive neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. These neurotransmitters modulate the energy homeostasis, by modifying the levels of hormones like  serotonin, orexin, and the adiponectins. Thus, migraine is associated with increased risk of obesity. Anxiety And Depression Caption: Woman isolated in home due to depression Credits: pixabay Alt tags: Woman at home Migraine headaches can precede the onset of mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Migraines can be a major factor in the development of a generalized anxiety disorder. The neurological biochemicals that are known to trigger migraine attacks are found to be same in both depression and migraine. Symptoms of migraine like pain, insomnia, sensitivity to surroundings, and nausea can predispose a person to depression and anxiety disorder Pregnancy Migraine can have serious effects on pregnant women and can also risk the baby’s growth and development. Research has shown that hormone fluctuations which occur during pregnancy like changes in estrogen levels may trigger migraine attacks. Pregnant women with migraine symptoms, accompanied by high blood pressure, can increase the risk of developing preeclampsia or other vascular complications leading to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Do you feel pain and burning sensation while passing urine? If yes, there’s a strong chance you’ve got a urinary tract infection. UTI infections are more common in women because of the proximity of the anus and urethra which allows bacterial inoculation in the perineal tissues. UTI infections can make you feel terrible, and if the situation is not controlled early it can become a life-threatening disorder What Is Urinary Tract Infection? About half of all women suffer from a urinary tract infection, or UTI, at some point in their lives. It happens due to abnormal growth of pathogens in the system that carries urine out of body parts like the kidneys, bladder, and the tubes that connect them. UTI is characterized by symptoms like pain, burning sensation, dysuria, fever, foul-smelli, and lower abdominal pain. Sometimes it may also result in permanent scarring of the kidney. Caption: Medicines for UTI Credits: pixabay 10 Ways to Cope With Pain During a Urinary Tract Infection Well, popping an antibiotic pill may seem the most convenient way to find relief from painful UTI symptoms. But, it’s not the only way to get rid of your UTI symptoms. Antibiotic pills can help you tackle the infection when it is bad. Some remedies don’t require a prescription and can be done right at home. Let’s see how you can cope up with your UTI symptoms at home. 1.    Flush out the bacteria Caption: Water in a glass Credits: pixabay Drinking plenty of water is the gold standard rule to flush out toxins, bacteria, and impurities from your body. Drinking at least six to eight 8-ounce (oz) glasses of water each day can keep all your infections away. Drinking water will help you flush away the bacteria causing UTI every time you pee and will put you on the track of recovery. 2.   Vitamin C To Keep Bacteria’s Away Caption: Vitamin C rich juice Credits: pixabay Vitamin C helps boost our immune system. They have the potential to keep the germs away by increasing the capacity of the body to fight them. Getting plenty of foods rich in Vitamin C is important in UTI as it makes the urine acidic and inhibits the growth of bacteria by making the condition unfavorable. 3.   Heating Pad to Soothe Your Pain Caption: Woman using warm compress on abdomen Credit: Wallpaperflare.com Symptoms of UTI like pain, inflammation, irritation, burning, and pressure around your pubic area, may hinder your daily activities and affect your quality of life terribly. In such a case, applying a heating pad on the infected area can provide a soothing effect. 4.   Adapt A Healthy Lifestyle Caption: Spiced coffee Credits: pixabay UTI symptoms may exacerbate the intake of coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners. This is because these are known to irritate your bladder further and may delay the process of recovery. Focus on healthy foods, such as a high fiber diet that is good for your digestive health and can promote easy recovery. 5.   Empty your bladder frequently Do not hold in your pee. Every time you empty your bladder, you flush out some germs. So, empty your bladder frequently and get rid of some of the bacteria that is causing the infection. 6.   Eat lots of fruits and vegetables Caption: Healthy vegetables Credits: pixabay Do you know, fruits and vegetables contain a natural sugar called D-mannose that may help to prevent and treat UTIs? Yes! Researchers have reported that D-mannose can keep the bacteria off from the walls of the urinary tract. This is because D-mannose sugar attracts those bacteria due to its sugary nature. 7.   Hygiene Caption: Cleaning after using washroom Credits: pixabay Germs attack when you don’t maintain your hygiene. Wear comfortable loose cotton clothing and underwear. Always wipe yourself clean from front to back. Choose good hygiene products that are fragrance- free. 8.   Meat Products Caption: Meat products Credits: pixabay Meat or meat products often contain some bacteria which are usually dead when cooked nicely. But in certain cases when it is not properly cooked these germs can escape our digestive system and travel into the urinary system causing UTIs. so, it’s recommended to consume vegan food if you have UTI or any infection. 9.   Cranberry juice Caption: Cranberry juice for UTI Credits: pixabay Cranberry juice or cranberry extract is a folklore medicine for treating UTI. This cranberry juice is known to be the best home remedy for UTIs. The proanthocyanidins in cranberries help keep the bacteria off from clinging to the bladder wall, and prevent the infection from spreading. 10. Sodium Bicarbonate Salt Caption: Sodium bicarbonate salt for UTI Credits: pixabay 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda in water taken on an empty stomach may help detoxify your kidneys and prevent the spread of infection. Sodium bicarbonate solution may also help reduce the level of acidity in the urine, which may in turn help ease the symptoms of a UTI. To ease the symptoms of UTI one can eat bladder-friendly foods like Bananas, fruit pears, green beans, winter squash, and potatoes.

The eye is one of the most delicate organs of the human body. It is composed of a number of complex components that are sensitive and easily irritable. When any pain or discomfort is experienced around this region, chances are that one or more following components of the eye are affected: Cornea : Transparent layer that covers the outer portion of the eye Sclera: The white part of the eye that surrounds the cornea and serves as an extension all the optic nerve. Conjunctiva: It is the outer clear covering that protects the sclera, the front surface of the eye. Iris: It is a thin pigment muscular layer that lies between the cornea and the lens. It controls the diameter and size of the pupil (part of the exposed lens). Orbit: It is a bonus cavity or socket in which the eye is enclosed. It protects the eye components and functions. Eye muscles: They are known as extraocular muscles and are composed of six muscles that control the eye and eyelid movements. Optic nerve: It is known as the second cranial nerve as it transfers the information of visions from the retina to the brain to translate through electric impulse. Eyelid: It is a thin layer of folded skin that protects the eye. In conclusion, if any of these components get infected, inflamed or damaged, it will cause eye problems that lead to pain and irritation. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Alt tag : Eye anatomy Caption: components of the eye Common Eye Problems: Types And Causes They include the following: 1.   Conjunctivitis This condition is also known as pink eye and occurs when the conjunctiva gets infected. As a result, the blood vessels in the conjunctiva get inflamed and this is why the white area turns reddish-pink as the name suggests. Infection is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It irritates, burns the eye and in rare cases, it could even affect your vision. Other symptoms include grittiness, itchiness, eye discharge and excessive tearing. Conjunctivitis is also highly contagious and hence the patient should be kept in isolation. Credit: pixabay Alt tag : eye sick blue Caption: pink eyes. 2.   Blepharitis Blepharitis occurs due to the inflammation of the eyelids. When one eye gets infected, the other eye also tends to get infected. The most common cause of blepharitis is when the oil glands near the base of the eyelashes get clogged. This leads to redness and irritation. Other symptoms include watery eyes, swollen eyelids, greasy eyelids, crusted eyelashes, blurred vision and light sensitivity. The condition is not contagious and does not cause permanent damage to the eyesight. The person is advised to maintain care and hygiene by regularly cleaning the affected area. However, if symptoms do not improve, then you must consult the eye specialist. Credit: pikist Alt tag : emotions, cry Caption: Watery eyes. 3.   Corneal ulcer A corneal ulcer is an infection which causes an open sore to form on the cornea. The infection is most common in lens wearers when small injuries or erosion are caused while inserting a contact lens into your eyes. Sometimes, wearing a lens for too long could also cause a corneal ulcer. It could also be triggered by dry eyes or other eye disorders. Symptoms include pus formation, white spotting on the cornea, tearing, soreness and light sensitivity Credit: pixabay Alt tag : lens contact eyes Caption: Excessive use of contact lenses 4.   Iritis This condition causes inflammation of the iris and is also known as anterior uveitis. The iris is extremely important for vision as it controls how much light enters your pupil and thus, inflammation could severely affect vision. The person will experience a significant pain, abnormally shaped pupil, blurry visions, headache and extremely low tolerance to bright light. When most these symptoms start to appear, a person is advised to immediately contact their eye specialist. If not treated efficiently, it could lead to vision loss or blindness. 5.   Stye A stye is like a pimple or bump on the lower or upper eyelid. It is usually caused when a gland located in the region of the eyelid gets blocked or plugged. Blockage can occur when the gland is obstructed by a gland tissue or even when foreign bodies like dirt or small material clogs the gland. Besides a significant lump, symptoms include redness, swelling and puffiness around the clogged area. It could also be followed by a thick discharge of pus that oozes out if the bump. A stye can also lead to dry eyes as the gland, that produces oily secretions that prevent the water from escaping the eye, gets blocked. Credit: pexels Alt tag : exhausted man rubbing nose bridge Caption: Constant rubbing of the eyes. 6.   Corneal abrasion It is one of the most common types of eye injury that causes a scratch in the cornea. The scratch is usually caused when the eye is impacted by sharp objects like needles, pencils, nails or even particles in the air like dust and debris. It most commonly occurs with people who have a habit of constantly running their eyes or constantly are in close contact with sharp objects that could damage the eye during accidents. The cornea has two important layers: the outer Epithelial layer and the inner layer known as the Bowman’s membrane. The severity of this condition depends on the layers that are injured. If only the other epithelium is injured, there is a high chance or healing without any permanent damage to the eye. However, if both layers are injured, it causes permanent scarring and will interfere with normal vision. Credit: needpix Alt tag : man, despair, sadness Caption: pain due to optic neuritis. 7.   Optic neuritis It is a condition that causes inflammation or swelling of the optic nerve. As a result, it leads to blindness or partial vision loss as sensation of vision cannot be conveyed or interpreted to the central nervous system. Inflammation of a nerve also causes excruciating or unbearable pain which worsens with continuous eye movement. Often, it could also lead to color blindness and vivid vision. This condition is closely linked to multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease where your own antibodies start attacking the protective layers of nerve cells, in case, the optic nerve. Other causes are linked to bacterial infections and the use of drugs or other toxic substances Note: All of these problems can also be linked with one another or coexists. For example, a person suffering from blepharitis could also develop a stye.

Infection is a broad term used to describe a condition where foreign invading agents enter the host, multiply and react with the host tissues, causing undesirable and harmful effects to the human host. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about infections: 1)  What are the types of infections/foreign invading agents? The type of infection depends upon the foreign agent that invades the body. They are of course types: Bacterial infections caused by bacteria. Fungal infections caused by fungi. Viral infection caused by viruses. Parasitic infections caused by parasites Caption: Foreign invading agents 2)  What are the signs and symptoms of an infection? Signs Any changes in the vital signs may be caused due to any infection. These vital signs are the following: Normal body temperature- 98.6° F Breathing rate – 12-18 breaths per minute Blood pressure- 90/60 to 120/80 mm Hg Thus, any changes in these signs could be an indicator of an infection. Symptoms On the other hand, symptoms are not measurable or objective. Each type of infection is subjective to different symptoms depending on factors like toxicity of the pathogen, rate or specific location of attack. High temperature could be a sign of Infection Credit: pexels Caption: High temperature could be a sign of Infection 3)  What’s the difference between “infectious” and “contagious” disease/ Are all infectious diseases contagious? Infectious diseases are a group of diseases that are caused by pathogens. If they also happen to spread from one person to another by physical contact or through droplets, then they are also known as a contagious disease. Thus, if an infectious disease cannot be spread from person-to-person, then it is not contagious. For example, malaria is a disease which spreads by mosquitoes and not humans. On the other hand, infectious diseases like strep throat is an example of a contagious disease that spreads through droplets or by the exchange of saliva. face mask Credit: pikist Caption: face mask 4)  How can I protect myself from contagious or infectious diseases? One can do so in the following ways : Get vaccinated Wash your hands often Wear a face mask Disinfect surfaces and sanitize your hands Prepare food safely Avoid touching animals Refrain from sharing personal items. 5)  Can an infection wear off on its own? A person with a strong immune system can fight off most bacterial infections without the use of antibiotics. However, patients suffering from disease like liver cirrhosis have weak immune cells and the administration of antibiotics becomes necessary. For viral infections, doctors use the “wait-and-see” approach as the body has to usually wait for the virus to run their course and eventually disappear in 1-2 weeks. It eventually disappears on its own with a few exceptions like the HIV viruses. On the other hand, it is very difficult for fungal and parasitic infections to go away on their own and thus, must be treated with medications or drugs. Credit: wikipedia Alt tag : small intestine bacteria Caption: useful bacteria present in the gut 6)  Are all bacteria and viruses bad? There are some beneficial bacteria that are present in your gut which provides aid to the digestive system. In fact, most bacteria are harmless, only 1% of bacteria cause disease in humans. They are also beneficial to fight cancer cells and microbes. Viruses, however, serve no positive effects to the human body at all. 7)  Can one distinguish between viral and bacterial infection? A bacteria is a one-cell organelle that multiplies in the human body and usually causes infection to the ear, throat, sinus and other conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia. A virus is like the micro-version of a parasite and lacks the ability to reproduce outside the human host. They are linked to common cold, flu and other respiratory illnesses. However, it is impossible for the human eye to detect if they are suffering from viral or bacterial infection. The signs of these two infections are also very similar to one about. Moreover, some diseases could be caused by both, bacterias and viruses. Hence, one must turn to their health care provider whenever they show symptoms of the following: Recurring fever Excessive yellow or green mucus Shortness of breath Symptoms last longer than a week. Credit: pexels Alt tag : girl blowing nose Caption: Mucus secretion 8)  Why does my mucus turn green or yellow? When you get an infection, the bacteria or virus damage the cell lining of your airway, where mucus is present. Once infected, the cells produce proteins that give the mucus it’s tinted green or yellow colour. 9)  Are vaccines meant for viral or bacterial infections? They are meant for both. Vaccines stimulate the body to provide antibodies against the specific pathogen present in your body, be it a virus or bacteria. However, viruses have a tendency to mutate and form several strains, thus it is very difficult to find vaccines for some of these viruses. Credit: pixabay Caption: Antibiotics 10) Can I consume antibiotics as a precautionary measure? Yes, if you consume antibiotics when your body does not require them, your body will stop responding to them. This condition is known as antibiotic resistance and if you were to ever contract an infection, your body would not allow the antibiotics to inhibit the growth of pathogens in your body. 11) Do antibiotics work for all infections? It is important to know that antibiotics are mainly used to treat bacterial infections and some fungal or parasite infections but can never treat any viral infections. Typically antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic drugs are used to treat viruses, fungal and parasitic infections, respectively. 12) Why is it a secondary infection? When a person is suffering from an infectious disease, treatments include antibiotics, antiviral, antiparasitic etc. Sometimes these drugs will cure one infection only to cause another infection as a side-effect. This side-effect is known as a secondary infection and is usually caused by a bacteria. Credit: wallpaper flare Alt tag : person hand bandage Caption: care of infected wound 13) How do you know if a wound is infected and how to treat it? Wounds get infected when bacteria grows on damaged skin. Symptoms include: Pain Redness Swelling Fever and chills Aches Simple wounds can be washed, cleaned and dried at home but deeper and larger wounds which cause fever or chills should be examined by a doctor. If serious wounds are not treated efficiently, it could lead to other bacterial infections like sepsis, cellulitis etc.

The current outbreak of COVID-19 is impacting people all over the world. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting all segments of the population and is particularly detrimental to members who are living in the most vulnerable situations, including people living in poverty, the elderly population, migrant workers, youth, and indigenous peoples. We asked 10 people about COVID:19 and how does it impact their life? This is what they said. Read the full stories here:

The world is currently fighting a great pandemic. And for a lower-middle-economy like India, there is a lot more to do to prepare for the peak of COVID-19 and its aftermath. Chronology Chronology is important for us to decide upon future steps and further preparedness. China first spoke about the COVID-19 outbreak to the WHO on December 31, 2019. China locked down close to 50 million people on January 23. This was the first warning sign. Clearly, it would not have ordered a complete shutdown just for a few hundred deaths. Perhaps, this is where WHO’s role came under suspicion. By January 20, 2020, this virus had already spread to about 25 countries The WHO declared COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by late January. On January 30, India reported its first novel coronavirus case. So, let’s have a look at 5 things that went wrong and what can be done instead. When China ordered the world’s factory shutdown, it still hadn’t shaken the global hamlet. The global response towards this pandemic reconfirms the failure of systems, science, and strategy. It definitely would have been great if it had suggested specific steps rather than just ‘keeping countries updated’. The WHO should have prodded the countries to take steps for containment and reversal with specific action points for every country. In India, the cases started counting up and spreading beyond just Kerala, from just one case on January 3, three cases in February to around 34 cases in the first week of March. The trajectory points towards an increase of more than 11 times in just the first week of March. The warning was not just serious, but unambiguous. India should have stopped all flights from major global transit hubs like Dubai, London, Paris, Munich, and New York as well as entry of people with a travel history to these places and other affected countries immediately. Also, it should have kept updating it as per the daily WHO country spread bulletin. This coronavirus strain has raised the alarm Credits:  Wikipedia Alt tags: Coronavirus death toll In January, WHO stated that the risk at the global level was ‘high’. Sometime around mid-January, WHO, in its bulletin, said ‘the New epidemiological information reinforces the evidence that the 2019-nCoV can be transmitted from one individual to another’. Clearly, the trajectory was scary between February 15 and February 29, and WHO was clear when it raised it to ‘Global – High-Risk’ by the end of February. We should have instead been pre-emptive in our approach and initiated’ international isolation’ by the beginning of March. On March 01, WHO issues a report stating that the disease had spread to 58 countries, and the risk assessment was ‘Very High’ at the global level. Even if all international flights had been stopped by March 08, India probably wouldn’t have to announce a lockdown for domestic flights. Joint Secretary, International Health and Secretary should have been more realistic and quick to inform the PMO that the situation was getting worse and suggested steps but clearly, they failed in their basic responsibility. By, March 15, the number of cases had increased to 112, an increase of over 37 times from the beginning of March. So, a lockdown was needed in certain key states with mass transit and slums a week earlier than it had been announced. What happened is all behind us, and now it’s time to brace ourselves for the new reality. Whether we’d call it local transmission or stage 3, it does not matter. What really matters is, how we are going to deal with it. Here’s what we need to consider: Though the world is asking for extensive scale testing and isolating, it is necessary to use our existing capabilities and create an online, mobile-enabled risk assessment tool. Nowadays it is quite easy to create a tool with a set of questions backed by an algorithm that evaluates the risk level of an individual. Those who are at high-risk need to immediately move into home isolation to avoid further spreading, and only these people and their immediate family members need to get the screening done. So, like in the other states, for example, Chennai, it is not necessary to screen the entire population. Now is the time that the government starts funding COVID-19 testing kits for high-risk individuals and not just those covered under PMJAY. It is impractical to expect people to pay Rs 4500 per person to get themselves and families tested in a private lab. Also, the government must negotiate ongoing testing rates. India’s Strategy India’s strategy to consider should be: Homemade masks for all Health Risk Assessment tool (HRAT) as per case management tools – defined clinical protocols Screening Self-quarantine at home and isolation Treatment Screening at from households across the country Caption:  To be safe people should act responsibly. Credits: Freesvg Alt tags: Covid-19 vigilant Also, a calibrated uplifting of the lockdown would be a good approach. Cities that are densely populated, have mass transit systems, and slums must continue with the lockdown with a focus on ‘high-risk areas’ being ‘sealed’ for another month. It should be made mandatory for all individuals to do a self-assessment symptom check every week for the next two months. Also, it would be prudent that India does not export any goods related to COVID management until they have buffer stock. Efficient planning must be done keeping the worst-case scenario in mind. Managing the COVID-19 pandemic is the test of our understanding, system’s strength, resilience, solidarity, and national leadership. India can certainly win this global fight sooner than the rest of the world with a bold leadership at their disposal.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) is a condition where bacteria, virus or parasites are transferred from one person to another, usually by sexual contact or intercourse, through the semen or vaginal fluids. Here are the answers to some of your frequently asked questions: 1.   What are the most common STDs? They are the following: Chlamydia HPV Syphilis HIV/AIDs Gonorrhoea Trichomoniasis Herpes Hepatitis B According to WHO, 1 out of every 4 people suffer from STDs or STIs every year, with: 127 million suffering from chlamydia. 156 million suffering from trichomoniasis. 87 million suffering from gonorrhea. 3 million suffering from syphilis. 2.   What are the most common signs and symptoms for STDs? The most common signs and symptoms for STIs are: Unusual vaginal/penisdischarge Urethral discharge Genital ulcer Abdominal pain Sores, bumps and rashes around genital areas. Swollen and painful testis or itchiness around the vagina. 3.    How and when to get tested for STDs? The issue with the sexual diseases or infections is that the initial symptoms are not obvious or distinct, until the condition worsens. Some people may have no symptoms at all and may only be carriers. This is why it is very important to get regularly tested at least once a year or every six months if one has multiple partners, especially with unprotected sexual intercourse. In addition, if one experiences symptoms or have any suspicious discomforts, they must be immediately tested. You can find testing centres around your area here. 4.   Is sex the only possible mode of transmission? No, sexual intercourse may be the most common mode of transmission but STDs can be transmitted through needles, blood transfusions, breastfeeding or even through the placenta. Caption: other modes of transmission 5.   Are STDs transmitted at every sexual intercourse? No, they aren’t necessarily transmitted every time. However, there is no way of predicting or assuring the probability of transmission the first time or the hundredth time. Thus, sexual intercourse is highly unadvised. 6.   Should STDs patients be isolated from the rest? Pathogens that cause STDs are only present in the blood, vaginal fluids, semen and small amounts in saliva. Only some few STDs can be transmitted by kissing, they include: herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. In some STDs like genital herpes or warts can be transmitted through skin contact. Thus as long as sexual contact is limited or abstained, most STD patients are not required to be isolated from the rest as one cannot transmit STDs by shaking hands or hugging. Credit: flickr Alt tag : condom and red ribbon HIV awareness Caption: Latex condoms to prevent STDs 7.   Do contraceptives protect you from STDs / Can you 100% effectively prevent STDs? The only way one can guarantee the prevention of STDs is through complex sexual abstinence. This includes oral, anal and vaginal sex. However, using latex condoms can reduce chances of transmission. Other methods of contraceptives like birth control pills or IUDs serve no purpose in the protection of STDs. 8.   Can females transmit STDs to other females? STDs are commonly passed through genital-to-genital contact or during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Thus, it is highly possible for infected females to transmit STDs to another female. Caption: HIV  and Syphilis 9.   What STDs are considered the most deadliest? Syphilis and AIDs are considered to be the deadliest STDs in the world. AIDs is a condition where the HIV virus destroys your body’s immune system uptil the point where they are unable to even fight off a common flu. What makes it even deadlier is that a person could be AIDs and be a carrier for years, without ever knowing until the last stages where symptoms start to show. The bacteria that causes syphilis urinary system, reproductive system and eventually travels up to infect other bodily systems. As a result, it causes great complications to the immune system, spinal cord, nervous system and cardiovascular system. 10 Can STDs cause infertility/ What are the risks associated with untreated STDs? Although some STIs may not show signs or symptoms, if left untreated, all STIs are harmful. They can cause infertility, urinary tracts problems or cancer in the genital areas. It could also increase the risk of developing other STDs like HIv or syphilis. Credit: pickpik Alt tag: man wearing blue shirt and blue jeans Caption: Cardiovascular and neurosyphilis related symptoms. 11.Can children get STDs? Yes, children are equally at risk when it comes to transmission during sexual intercourse. The most common cases of STDs in children were transmitted by sexual abuse in about 2%-10% of the abused children. Moreover, a child could also be born with an STD which was transmitted by the infected mother through the placenta or during breastfeeding. HIV, syphilis and CMV are the most common STDs in fetuses or newborns. 12. Does circumcision reduce STDs? With circumcision, a man can lower his risk for genitial herpes by 25% and HPV by 35%. They also lower the risk of infecting their female partners for trichomoniasis and other bacterial vaginal diseases. This is mainly because the removal of the foreskin reduces the risk of exposure to pathogens, especially after sexual intercourse. Moreover, the mucosal lining of the foreskin also increases risk of infections in uncircumcised men. Credit: flickr Alt tag: HIV antibody test kit Caption: Testing positive for the second time. 13. Can a person get STD more than once/ who is more prone to STD? After being cured for an STD, a person can possibly contract the same or other sexual disease for as long as they continue to be actually active, especially with unprotected sex. Just after one sexual intercourse, women have a 60% – 90% of getting infected by their partner while men have only a 20% risk.

COVID 19 has caused significant damage around the world. It has put most us in scenarios which were unimaginable and the virus is not stopping. In India, the case count is increasing and the people are afraid. During the lockdown, most of us have been bombarded with bad news. We have heard so much of it that we expect it every day. However, some positive things are happening and are a sign of improvement. Here are 8 pieces of positive news amidst the chaos New Zealand and Other Corona Free Countries On 8th June 2020, New Zealand reported that the country had zero active cases of the coronavirus. It became one of the first countries to win against the virus. The country followed a strict lockdown with rapid testing resulting in eliminating the virus. The country is set to reopen with some minor restrictions with the hope of getting to the pre coronavirus normal. Along with New Zealand, the following countries are also corona virus-free: Montenegro Papua New Guinea Seychelles Fiji Saint Kitts and Nevis East Timor Holy See Eritrea The smaller size of these countries along with the implementation of effective policies has allowed them to control the virus. The countries provide hope to everyone in the world that the virus can be defeated. The Vaccine Front Many pharmaceutical companies and research laboratories have been working hard to get a quick vaccine for COVID 19. One of these vaccine trials has taken some big steps forward. Research being conducted by Oxford University has reached the stage of human trials. A British-Swedish multinational company AstraZeneca, has partnered with the research team and have stated that if the trial is a success they will produce 100 million doses in the coming months. The company aims to produce 2.2 billion doses by mid of 2021. This news gives hope to people in the world as other vaccine estimates were further away. The company has announced it would partner with Serum Institute of India to mass-produce the vaccine. E-Learning The pandemic has brought a significant change in the world of education. School going children as well as college students are confined to their homes which have rapidly increased the demand for online education in India. E-learning has increased in two specific modes. The first one is the shifting of educational institutes to online teaching. Schools and colleges have been conducting live as well as recorded classes online. Some prominent universities have also announced that exams will be conducted online. The second aspect of the rise in E-learning is that of voluntary courses. Various websites and apps provide courses that can be accessed online. One Indian company udemy has reported a 425% rise in course enrollment since the lockdown began. The concept of E-learning is increasing rapidly in India with more courses being made available online every day. These online courses provide opportunities for people to enhance their skills. The E-learning industry and its customers have benefited in this period. Credits: Pexels Caption: Online learning has increased massively in India Alt text: A man reading on a tablet. Stock Market and The Economy The stock market in India, as well as its Asian counterparts, is gaining. Various Indexes which had record falls have now turned green and are providing investors confidence. The rally of the stock market comes with a rise in oil prices. Oil prices are increasing due to various agreements between the O.P.E.C. countries. The growth rate for the economy also determines the number of jobs available in the country. A rise in stocks and commodities indicate that the economy is growing which reduces the unemployment rate.  These are signs of recovery for the struggling economy. Credits: Pexels Caption: India’s stock market is showing signs of improvement. Alt Text: A stock chart. Studies With Positive Outcomes Recent studies about the effects of coronavirus in monkeys have shown positive outcomes. These studies suggest that being infected from coronavirus can result in developing immunity from reinfection. This essentially means that you can only be infected from the virus once. The studies are in very early stages and require further research but the signs are positive. Another positive outcome observed is that vaccines are showing results in monkeys which is a boost to all searching for it. The studies are preliminary but show positive outcomes. Credits: Pexels Caption: A study conducted in monkeys has shown antibody development against COVID 19. Alt Text: A monkey sitting on a branch. India’s Low Death Rate One of the parameters which is being widely used to monitor the progress of the coronavirus is the number of deaths per lakh population. It measures the number of individuals that have died due to COVID 19 per one lakh people. India has a death rate of 0.49 deaths per lakh whereas the United Kingdom has 59 per lakh and Italy has 58 per lakh. It is significantly lower in India. Environmental Benefits The lockdown imposed in the country brought India’s industries to a standstill which resulted in a decrease in emissions. This decrease combined with the lack of humans has brought some benefits for the environment. The air quality index which measures the quality of air in the country has been well above safe range in many cities. If we take the example of New Delhi, the average AQI was about 200 and in extreme scenarios, it soared past 900 as well. During the lockdown period, the AQI reported is 20 which is good quality air. Besides the improvement in air, various animals have also found it easier to live with the absence of humans. These signs are viewed positively by environmental enthusiasts across the world. Getting Closer to The Cure A drug by the name of Remdesivir has been approved by the Indian regulatory authorities to be used in the treatment of the COVID 19. The drug has also been approved to be used in South Korea, Japan and the United States. It has shown positive results so far and further research is being conducted. Various other companies have also started clinical trials to obtain a drug that can be used to treat the coronavirus. Takeaway Most of us have been subjected to a lot of negative news in the past few months, so much that we have forgotten about the positives. There are some positive things which are happening in the world. These positives can be used as motivation to get through these tough times.