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Self-Care for Busy Professionals: Striking the Work-Life Balance

By
Madhuri Saikia
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0

Juggling a demanding career often leaves little room for self-care. However, prioritizing your well-being is crucial for long-term success and your happiness. 

Here are some practical strategies to incorporate self-care into your busy schedule:

Mastering Time Management:

  • Create a realistic schedule: Plan your day with dedicated time slots for work, personal tasks, and self-care activities. Utilize tools like calendars and to-do lists to stay organized and avoid overbooking yourself.
  • Prioritize ruthlessly: Identify the most important tasks and allocate time accordingly. Learn to say “no” to additional commitments that might overload your schedule.
  • Delegate and automate: Whenever possible, delegate tasks to colleagues or utilize technology to automate repetitive processes. This frees up valuable time for more important matters.

Setting Healthy Boundaries:

  • Establish clear work hours: Set specific times for starting and ending your workday. Avoid checking work emails or calls outside these designated hours.
  • Communicate effectively: Inform colleagues and clients about your work hours and boundaries. This helps manage expectations and prevents work from encroaching on personal time.
  • Learn to disconnect: Switch off your work phone and resist the urge to check emails constantly. Dedicate time to be fully present in your personal life.

Stress-Reduction Techniques:

  • Short breaks throughout the day: Schedule short breaks every 60-90 minutes to step away from your desk. Take a walk, stretch, or simply close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
  • Mindfulness practices: Incorporate short mindfulness exercises like meditation or deep breathing into your routine. These practices can help manage stress and improve focus.
  • Physical activity: Regular exercise is a powerful stress reliever. Even a brisk walk or a quick workout can significantly boost your mood and energy levels.

Taking Care of Your Skin:

  • Simple skincare routine: Maintaining a basic skincare routine doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Focus on the essentials: cleanse your face twice daily, moisturize regularly, and always wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher during the day.

For a convenient and clean option, consider Earthraga’s range of sunscreens formulated with plant-derived ingredients. Free from unwanted toxins, they offer effective sun protection while being gentle on your skin.

Earthraga also offers a variety of face, hair, bath, and body care products, allowing you to create a complete self-care routine that fits seamlessly into your busy schedule. Remember, self-care is a continuous process, not a one-time event. By implementing these strategies and tailoring them to your needs, you can achieve a better work-life balance and create a more fulfilling and sustainable professional journey.

Remember, self-care is a continuous process, not a one-time event. By implementing these strategies and tailoring them to your needs, you can achieve a better work-life balance and create a more fulfilling and sustainable professional journey.



How to build immunity against upcoming respiratory illnesses

By
Madhuri Saikia
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0
immunity respiratory

We all have faced respiratory illnesses at some point in our lives as it is one of the most common concerns, especially during certain seasons like winters and monsoons. Respiratory illnesses can be avoided by building strong immunity, which is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. While there is no remedy to completely wipe off respiratory infections entirely, there are various ways to strengthen your immune system, making it more tolerant and strong against different types of viruses and infections.

immunity

In this article, we will explore different types of lifestyle changes, cold and cough remedies, dietary options, and habits you can adopt to make your body’s defense mechanism stronger.

Try to understand your immune system

Before looking for ways to boost your immune system, it’s highly recommended to understand how your immune system actually works. The immune system is the collection of organs, tissues, and cells that coordinate and work together to protect and defend the body from harmful pathogens, for example, viruses, bacteria, and all sorts of infections. The main components of the immune system include white blood cells, antibodies, and the lymphatic system. How your immune system works is when it detects a foreign invader, it prepares a protective and combat response to nullify the threat and prevent diseases.

A well-balanced diet is a must

An adequate diet has a very important role to play in supporting a healthy immune system. Make sure you include a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Try also to include Vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, and vitamin C, and foods with zinc, and selenium are crucially vital for immune function and to fight colds and coughs. Incorporate foods that are highly rich in such nutrients into your daily meals, such as citrus fruits (oranges, lime, etc), spinach, nuts, seeds (flax seeds, watermelon seeds, sunflower seeds), and omega-rich fatty fish.

Hydration is the key

Drinking a lot of fluids is extremely essential for overall health and it aids your immune system too. Drinking water helps maintain and balance proper hydration levels in the body, which is very important for organs to function properly ultimately helping your immune system to function smoothly. Try to consume at least six to eight glasses of water per day, and try to adjust your water intake according to physical activity levels, weather changes, and your body needs.

Adequate Sleep is a must

We all have been hearing this from always that quality sleep is important for a healthy immune system and this statement is extremely true. When we sleep our body goes through the repair mechanism and regeneration cells including our immune system cells. If you go through chronic sleep deprivation or have a lifestyle of sleeping for fewer hours, it can weaken the immune system, making you more prone to catching infections and falling sick. Try to make it a habit to sleep a minimum of 7 to 8 hours per night to help support immune function and overall well-being.

Exercising regularly has to be an important lifestyle change

Working out regularly or adding physical activity to your everyday life has too many health benefits for immune health. It promotes overall well-being and also improves blood circulation and promotes the efficient functioning of immune cells. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes of moderate or intense exercise for a minimum of 4 days a week. Try to pick those activities that excite you or you enjoy the most, such as swimming, yoga, cycling, weight training, or running, and make it a habit of it.

Try to manage stress

If you are dealing with long-term chronic stress, the possibility is that it can affect your immune function, making you more vulnerable to contracting respiratory illnesses and other health problems. The solution to chronic stress is to practice stress-reducing exercises and techniques for example deep breathing, meditation, and yoga help in relaxation. Give priority to self-care activities for managing stress.

Good hygiene is extremely crucial

Practicing good hygiene is a very crucial habit to prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Try to clean and wash your hands as frequently as you can with soap and water, especially before touching the food, after using the restroom, and even if you sneeze or cough. Always try to keep a hand sanitizer with you. If you are in a public gathering or traveling, try to avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth, as this can cause the pathogens inside your body to cause respiratory infections.

Try to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption

As we know time and time again smoking is extremely dangerous to health especially because it damages the respiratory system and kills the immune system. Smokers are considered more susceptible to respiratory infections. If you are a smoker, try considering quitting before it’s too late. Also avoid exposure to second-hand smoke meaning, if someone around you is smoking try to stay away because passive smoking is also considered harmful to your respiratory system. Try also limiting alcohol consumption, as excessive alcohol can damage your immune function and can affect your sleep cycle.

Try to boost your immunity wisely with supplements

It is good to obtain nutrients from whole foods, but a supplement boost may also help take your immune system to the next level but you have to be a little wise in choosing the right kind of supplement. For example, PhytoRelief-CC, Koflet, etc. The best part about PhytoRelief-CC is that it boosts immunity naturally by 5x and has Phyto-actives (high-potency plant extracts) of ginger, turmeric, and pomegranate making it completely natural with no side effects. It’s like having a home remedy for cough and cold.

The practices mentioned above to build and shield immunity against respiratory illnesses are universal and strictly involve adopting healthy lifestyle habits, taking care of good hygiene practices, and taking medical interventions when needed. Try to give priority to your nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management can strengthen your body’s immune system and you will fall less sick and may also catch fewer respiratory infections.



Warning signs of suicide you should not ignore

By
Madhuri Saikia
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1

In every 40 seconds, a person commits suicide, leading to over 800,000 suicides every year. Albeit every suicide is a personal tragedy, its effect on family, friends, and communities are far-reaching and devastating. As per World Health Organization (WHO), it is the second leading, yet preventable cause of death among 15-29-year-old globally.

Despite the unprecedented increase in the number of suicides cases every year, little has been acknowledged on its cause and effect relationship. Tragically, suicide failed to be recognized as a serious public health concern. And regardless its growing statistics, the taboo, and stigma encircling it remained intact. People struggling with a mental cramp barely could stand to speak up about their condition. Fearing, they could be estranged from the society or look down upon as not normal.

The idea of a happy and satisfactory life varies from person to person. Some of them muddle through the thorns with proper guidance and support while others fall flat on them. Thus, is normal for anyone to experience suicidal thoughts at some stages of life.

A number of factors can collaborate to intensify a person’s vulnerability to suicidal behavior or suicide. These includes personal, social, psychological, cultural, biological, and environmental. Furthermore, a person who plots to end his/ her miseries through suicide, exhibit a number of clues or signs to demonstrate their sufferings. While some of these signs see light, most others get choked, poisoned, bled, or drowned in hopelessness and despair.

Below are some of the warning signs that can save a life if acknowledged at the right time.

 

  • Alteration in one’s personality or behavior:

A person who considers suicide will display strange behavior like acute sadness or lost amid their own mind, speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness, abnormal sleeping habits, distraction from everyday chores, eating disorders, involvement in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs or alcohol.

 

  • Visible signs of mental distress:

Enduring with a prolonged grief, sudden and persistent mood swings, and unexpected rage are some of the common signs that should not go unseen. Besides, major mental health issues like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia are recognized as the leading cause of suicide worldwide. This is because people who undergo these depressive phases find it difficult to connect with the happiness string of life. They are wired to feel less pleasure from life and difficulty to match steps with everyday routine.

 

  • Sudden calmness:

Shifting to a tranquil state abruptly after a period of depression is a serious sign that the person has found a way to put an end to his or her sufferings.

 

  • Social isolation:

Due to loss of interest or pleasure from life, a person fighting with his/her inner demons, often isolate himself/herself from social influence. They will find excuses to constrain from interacting with family or friends.

 

  • Recent trauma or life crisis:

Traumatic life events like rape, sexual abuse, war, break up, divorce, or death of a loved one can trigger a feeling of helplessness, guilty, or ashamed. An individual, under such distressing circumstances, is likely to seek peace through suicide.

 

  • Preparing suicide:

Self-mutilation, past attempts to suicide, or covering a family history of suicide can inevitably increase one’s risk to suicide. A person who considers suicide will engage in unusual affairs that they normally do not do. These include visiting friends and family members, making a will, giving away personal possessions, putting businesses in order, and so forth.

 

Respond to the warning signs at the earliest

Suicides or suicidal thoughts are desperate attempts to escape from a pain. When that plea for help fails miserably, locking all doors of a new beginning, people consider suicide as their final destination, desperately. Thus, it is imperative to understand the signs and give the person a chance to talk out their feelings and help in dragging them out of their griefs.

So, the next time you find someone losing track with reality, talk to them. Help them find their lost routes.

Why is caffeine body exfoliation essential for your skin

By
Madhuri Saikia
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2

In recent times, coffee, as a beauty ingredient has garnered much admiration. Whether you sip it or apply it to your skin, coffee, with its countless benefits will surely amaze you. The rich and dark coffee beans, apart from absorbing one in their robust aroma, are also brimmed with antioxidants. They are known for their ample benefits on the skin like delayed aging, calming effects, reduced inflammation, among others.

From the kitchen shelves to beauty cabinets, coffee beauty recipes have topped the beauty trend chart. More or less, a tribe of caffeine-obsessed beauty enthusiasts has increasingly stirred the market with their DIY homemade recipes to organic commercial products.

These caffeine-infused body oils and lotions, coffee scrubs, coffee hair oil, or coffee masks have won various eyeballs. Not only of their effectiveness but also because of their rich aromatic indulgence. One of such personal care brands that have fascinated people with its plush caffeine indulgence is mcaffeine.

Caffeine body exfoliation with mcaffeine products- an essential routine

Many of us fail to take care of the skin below our neck. Aside from giving attention to our facial skin, it is crucial to ensure that the other parts of the body are equally taken care of. Just like cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing hold a necessary regime in our skincare routine, body exfoliation, too should occupy the same significant routine.

Routine exfoliation is necessary to get rid of the dead skin cells, unclog the pores, and enhance blood circulation. Looking out for natural exfoliators like sugar, coffee, lemon, and other botanical ingredients can be useful as they gently wear away the skin impurities without causing any damages.

mcaffeine body scrub

When it is about exfoliation, whether for the face or body, I mostly prefer coffee-based products. First, because it’s totally a natural ingredient and is known for its abundant benefits. And secondly, I just love coffee!

Mcaffeine is one such brand that I rely on when it comes to choosing caffeine-based products. The pure indulgence of coffee and chocolate from mcaffeine is truly a feast for your skin. And the aroma? Oh! Don’t nag me for not warning you that you might end up eating your skin, or the products. Hehe…!!

Read on!

Mcaffeine’s Coffee Body Scrub

You will fall in love at first sight with this body scrub. Sturdy packaging, the goodness of coffee and coconut, an aroma-filled bottle, and a cute wooden spoon to scoop out your portion- why would a sane person not fall for this beauty? This naked and raw body scrub is easy to use and leaves an immediate smoothness of coffee. The powdery scrub rests comfortably onto wet skin and gently scours dead cells and residue clogging the pores, and leaves the skin velvety soft.

Mcaffeine’s choco body lotion

The chocolaty aroma of this body lotion will enhance your mood every time you squeeze dollops from the bottle. Not only does this body lotion deep hydrates and moisturizes the skin but the goodness of cocoa will give an overall soothing experience. If you could, you will literally want to eat your skin. Trust me!

Mcaffeine scalp and hair oil

The delightful aroma of this hair oil will, for sure, transport you to a different world. Apart from stimulating hair growth and nourishing the scalp, this oil is also a great mood booster. Relax, rejuvenate, and soak yourself in the luxuriant of coffee as you take a deep reposeful scalp massage. You can include this scalp and hair oil in your weekly hair care regime.

Mindful beauty practices by mcaffeine

A lot of times, we wonder which products or cosmetics will be a good choice for our body skin- remove the dead cells or exfoliation, or for moisturization. Instead of just relying on mainstream cosmetic products or purchasing based on an excellent ad-copy or pretty photograph, a skin-conscious person should always check out the ingredients before investing or trusting a brand.

Ever since I have transitioned to clean beauty- free from SLS and paraben and animal testing, I have found incredible changes in my skin. Struggling with distressed skin throughout the teenage years of my life taught me not to mindlessly trust any beauty brands easily. Rather, scrutinize each and every ingredient thoroughly, know their impact on skin, and then rely on that brand.

A sustainable beauty brand, mcaffeine with its 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and Peta certified tag caught my interest. The products are FDA approved and are dermatologically tested with no SLS, parabens, silicones & mineral oils.

Have you tried any of mcaffeine’s products? Which is your favorite?

Check out their other products at https://www.mcaffeine.com/

Grow your hair thick and long with these easy homemade hair masks

By
Madhuri Saikia
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2
hair mask, girl holding hair

Homemade hair masks always work wonder ! Isn’t it? 

Not everyone’s blessed with healthy and thick hair. It takes a mountain to maintain and grow thick and beautiful hair. More like a stubborn little puppy, you constantly have to take care of your hair. Leave it unattended for a few days, and you can’t imagine the mess you will have to sort out later. Whether it is summer or winter, a happy or a stressful day at work, your hair needs constant care and attention.

Regardless of whether your hair has been damaged by the harsh weather, hair styling, cosmetic products, or stress, frizzy-dull hair and breakage is something that practically every one of us goes through.

Moreover, poor diet and inadequate intake of fluids garnish the otherwise grim condition of one’s hair. If you are someone struggling with hair loss or dry and rough hair, you might want to incorporate these organic, effortless, and effective hair mask ideas into your routine that will not just repair your dry and damaged hair but will also help to grow your hair.

Fenugreek Hair Mask

Mostly used in a variety of culinary, fenugreek is also known for its myriad health benefits. Fenugreek is a rich source of iron and protein, the two important nutrients responsible for hair growth.

Ingredients required:

  1. 1 cup Fenugreek seeds
  2. 3 tbsp Extra virgin or cold-pressed coconut oil
  3. ½ cup Pure aloevera gel
  4. ½ cup Plain yogurt

Method:

  • Soak fenugreek overnight in cold water.
  • Grind it to a fine paste the next morning. Add the 1/2 cup aloe vera extract and coconut oil and put it in the blender and mix well. I use Honey and Spice’s pure cold-pressed aloe vera gel.
  • Beat ½ cup yogurt until no lumps are there.
  • Now mix well with the fenugreek and aloe vera mixture until all the ingredients are fully incorporated. You can also beat the yogurt and pour it into the blender for a final mix.
  • Apply from your roots to tip. Make sure to apply sufficiently on the scalp.
  • Wash off with normal water after an hour.
  • Apply shampoo the next day.

Henna Hair Mask

Henna is known as an elixir for one’s hair. Even ancient Ayurveda has documented pages of the effectiveness of henna. Aside from providing a beautiful tint to one’s hair, henna also conditions one’s hair and makes them soft and smooth.

Ingredients required:

  1. 1 packet Henna (or as per the length of your hair)
  2. 2-3 Eggs
  3. 1 cup Yogurt
  4. 2-3 tbsp Castor oil

Method:

  • Mix the required quantity of henna powder with warm water in a large bowl and leave it overnight. Don’t make the concoction too slurry as you will have to add the other ingredients.
  • Beat the yogurt until smooth. Beat 2-3 eggs and mix with the yogurt.
  • Add 2-3 tbsp of castor oil into the mixture and mix well.
  • Now pour all the ingredients into the henna mixture and mix well. Check that no lumps are formed.
  • Apply all over your hair and let it sit for 1-3 hours. If you want a rich brown tint, keep it for 3 hours, otherwise, an hour is enough.
  • Wash off with normal water.
  • You can either wash off your hair using a mild shampoo or wash off with normal water and go for an overnight oil massage and then shampoo, as usual, the next morning.

Fenugreek and Black Seed Mask

Black seed or nigella or black cumin is known for its multiple health benefits. It helps aid conditions ranging from asthma, inflammation, cholesterol, eczema, acne, psoriasis, and so forth. The active compound present in black seed called thymoquinone has shown potential results in protecting the body from inflammation and other related issues. An anti-oxidant, it also helps address problems of the scalp like dandruff and promotes hair growth.

Ingredients required:

  • ½ cup Fenugreek seeds
  • ½ cup Black or nigella seeds
  • 1 tbsp Coconut oil
  • ½ cup Fresh aloe vera gel
  • ½ cup Yogurt

Method:

  1. Grind fenugreek and nigella seeds to a fine powder. Now, transfer the powder into a large mixing bowl.
  2. In another bowl, beat the yogurt to a smooth texture and add the extracted aloe vera gel and coconut oil and mix well.
  3. Now, pour the mixture into the powder and mix until it is lump-free and smooth.
  4. Apply this mixture onto your scalp and hair and leave it on for an hour or two.
  5. Wash off and shampoo as usual.

For best results, stick to any of these for a few months. You can try this once a week to start noticing a difference. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, it is advisable to perform a patch test before use.

Pin it:

Try these and let me know if they worked wonders on you. Have a beautiful hair day!

How Saliva Prevents Dental Diseases | Guest Post

By
Madhuri Saikia
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0

 

Think spit is just spat? Think again. Saliva is vital in helping prevent gum disease and in keeping your digestive system running smoothly. It cleanses the mouth, protects your teeth, and helps keep your gums healthy.

Composition and Production:

Your body is continuously producing a steady stream of saliva. But what is it, and why do our mouths produce more at different times?

Saliva is 99% water. The other 1% of saliva is proteins and electrolytes. However, even though they only make up 1% of saliva, these proteins and electrolytes perform powerful functions in your mouth.

Saliva production is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This system also controls your breathing, heart rate, digestion, body temperature, sexual response, and metabolism, as well as sweat and tears production. As far as saliva production is concerned, there are three main glands primarily responsible: the submandibular, parotid, and sublingual glands.

Your autonomic nervous system communicates with the various parts of itself. For instance, if you smell an incredibly wonderful food, taste food, are stimulated by medication, or simply perform a chewing motion, your autonomic system amps up the production of saliva.

Key Functions of Saliva:

Saliva performs a few primary functions that make life–and especially eating and digestion–operate more smoothly than they would otherwise.

First, saliva facilitates speaking and eating. It lubricates oral tissues so your tongue, teeth, and roof of your mouth can work together smoothly to create sounds. It aids in the process of eating by enhancing the taste of food, helping you break down food in your mouth, and facilitating chewing.

Without saliva, swallowing and clearing or rinsing food from the side of your mouth would be far more difficult. The enzymes in the protein in saliva help break down food and prepare it for digestion. In short, saliva helps you throughout every phase of the eating process.

Saliva also helps protect your mouth and surrounding tissues. It dilutes the sugars in food and drinks, neutralizes acids to prevent plaque production, and remineralize your teeth enamel. All these functions help to prevent plaque and tartar damage.

Additionally, saliva has cleansing and antimicrobial properties, continually working to help keep you healthy and free of disease. Lastly, it also helps to repair tissue in instances of mouth injuries or cuts.

How Saliva Benefits Your Teeth:

With all of this in mind, here are five of the main ways saliva benefits your teeth.

  • Waste removal

    • Saliva acts as a rinsing and cleansing agent for teeth, helping your mouth wipe away food debris, yeast, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. As such, it helps to prevent a variety of medical and dental issues.

  • Protective barrier

    • Saliva shields the esophagus and digestive tract from harmful irritants, as well as shielding your teeth from the sugars and acids in many of our foods and beverages. Its enzymes help neutralize acids that would otherwise damage your teeth and gums.

  • Tooth decay prevention

    • Not only does saliva neutralize acids that would otherwise contribute to tooth decay, but it also literally washes those sugars and acids away from the teeth. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t brush your teeth–it means that your saliva is working hard and deserves all the help you give it so that you can avoid restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures.
    • Additionally, saliva remineralizes the enamel on your teeth. After you eat, the enamel on your teeth takes a beating from sugars and acids. Afterward, however, calcium and phosphate ions in saliva remineralize your enamel.
    • This is why it’s essential to brush your teeth after eating, and especially before you go to sleep: it clears any debris out of the way so your saliva can repair your tooth enamel without impediment.

  • Healthy plaque

    • While too much plaque is bad, plaque in and of itself serves an important function. Saliva coats the tooth with one of its proteins, pellicle, which then accumulates to form plaque. This plaque attracts bacteria and other agents, forcing them to form clumps which are then more easily swallowed or brushed away.

  • Wound healing

    • Saliva is packed with proteins, electrolytes, endothelial and epidermal growth factors, making it a live-in medicine for your mouth. If the inside of your mouth sustains a wound–a cut, a canker sore, or if you bite your lip–then saliva helps to facilitate the healing process.

With all these healing and protective properties, saliva is a huge player in preventing tooth decay and any resulting gum disease.

Conclusion:

Saliva’s the unsung hero of your dental and digestive health, working to prevent gum disease and tooth decay at every step. As an intelligent servant of the autonomic nervous system, it’s your mouth’s way of protecting itself and facilitating healing. Practice good oral hygiene so you can help your saliva do its job.

About the Author: Written by Bryan, from York House Dentists in Chesham & Amersham, the practice maintains and improves smiles for nearly 30 years with a comforting combination of expertise, experience and exceptional standards. For more details feel free to visit www.yorkhousedentists.co.uk.

Health Issues That Can Affect Your Oral Health

By
Madhuri Saikia
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0

oral health, girl smiling, dental issue

Our overall and oral health is tightly connected, even if it may not seem so. Both can affect the other, whether it be positively or negatively. To lead a healthy, fulfilling life, we must take care of not only our body but also our mouth! Contacting your dentist for more information regarding different health issues you have and their effects on your oral health can help you get your health back on track and have you feeling better than ever before.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, can have detrimental effects on our dental health.  It is a condition which entails stomach acids travelling up the oesophagus (throat), sometimes ending in the mouth. These acids can be dangerous, and in extreme cases, can even lead to oesophageal cancer.

Within the confines of the mouth, acid reflux could lead to tooth erosion as well as periodontal issues.

After being diagnosed with acid reflux, patients should follow their physician’s advice and instructions when it comes to controlling their stomach acid. In many cases, medical professionals will recommend avoiding citrus or acidic foods like tomatoes, raw onions, chocolate, alcohol, and coffee. If the condition is particularly severe and your dental health is suffering, a physician may also prescribe medication to get your reflux under control, decreasing the amount of acid produced in excess.

Stomach ulcers

Health professionals previously believed that stomach ulcers were only the direct result of an overproduction of stomach acid, which destroyed the stomach’s walls. Previous treatment for ulcers entailed only controlling the amount of acid produced.

But recently, researchers discovered that certain bacteria in the mouth, caused by poor dental hygiene, may actually lead to stomach ulcers. The bacteria believed to play a role in stomach ulcer production are common among individuals with infected gum tissue.

Therefore, it is crucial to take care of our dental health to avoid any further, seemingly unrelated health conditions. Destructive bacteria that forms in the mouth can spread across the body and harm our well-being.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease is a hard condition to live with on its own, paired with chronic dental issues such as cavities or gum disease; it only gets harder. As another infection grows in your mouth, your body will have to take and use some of its valuable resources towards fighting the dental disease, instead of working to improve the status of your kidneys. While fighting off additional dental disease, you may end up in the hospital more often than normal since your immune system is impaired.

Patients with kidney disease on dialysis may receive blood-thinning medications to prevent clotting. But this can pose problems during dental surgeries and make getting dental work more dangerous.

Diabetes

Diabetes is another medical condition that can wreak havoc on our smiles and general dental health. Diabetics are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease in their lifetimes. Periodontal disease is when various bacteria severely infect the gum tissue.

Diabetes, especially when undetected, can cause persistent bad breath resulting in low self-confidence.

If you have diabetes and notice that your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch, inform your dentist in Milton Keynes right away. They will schedule an emergency check up to see if you have gum disease. Should you, in fact, have periodontal disease, your dentist will create a treatment plan with your kidney disease in mind. In most cases, complex surgeries will be avoided as much as possible, and certainly when the patient is on dialysis.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure and related cardiovascular diseases have a strong connection with periodontal disease. When the gum tissue is inflamed, the blood vessels thicken and are filled with plaque, effectively decreasing your blood flow.

A decreased blood flow, along with high blood pressure, dramatically increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.

If you have any medical conditions, tell your dentist at your check-up so your medical records can be updated. Armoured with your complete medical history, your dentist can make informed decisions about your future treatment plans as well as look for any developing issues. 

Guest Post by Susan Louisa

9 Factors You Should Know About Lip Fillers

By
Madhuri Saikia
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0

Lip fillers are currently one of the most popular aesthetic treatments on the market, and their appeal seems to be growing.

As a non-invasive aesthetic treatment, lip filler enhancements are an easy way to achieve naturally plump-looking lips without committing to surgery.

The following nine tips and tricks can help you navigate the world of lip enhancement and determine if lip fillers can help perfect your pout.

  1. Find a certified doctor

One of the most important things you can do to ensure the results you want is your research. Never leave your injections up to chance at “injection parties” and always make sure your practitioner is Board Certified, and that the injections take place in a medical environment.

Check out potential practitioner’s websites and look over before-and-after photos as well as reviews to get a better feel for their work.

At your consultation, ask about their experience and any concerns you might have regarding treatment. A responsible practitioner should be able to easily answer your questions and put you at ease.

  1. Prepare before your appointment

Preparing for lip filler treatment start one week before your, appointment. During this time, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and refrain from using aspirin and ibuprofen, as these can hasten bruising.

  1. Cost

Remember, when it comes to lip fillers, you get what you pay for.

Never choose your practitioner based solely on price and avoid sale offers that seem too good to be true, as they often lead to poor results.

For proper treatment, you can expect to pay between £500 and £650.

  1. Bruising depends on your procedure

Bruising is a common side effect of lip filler treatment, as the skin around the lips is very fragile and prone to bruising.

For individuals who are hypersensitive to bruising, you can mitigate your chances of turning black and blue with arnica tablets, an all-natural supplement that reduced bruising and swelling.

  1. Types of fillers

When it comes to lip fillers, there are two main categories: Temporary and semi-permanent.

Temporary fillers are usually hyaluronic acid-based, a naturally-occurring sugar substance that is typically absorbed into the body within six months of treatment. HA-based fillers offer a naturally volumised-look but require topping up every six months.

Conversely, permanent fillers can last up to eighteen months before further treatment is required.

  1. Can leftover filler be used?

Yes! If you opt to use less filler in your lips for a more conservative look, you will still have to pay for the entire vile of filler.

Your practitioner can utilise the leftover filler elsewhere on your face to smooth facial lines around the eyes, mouth, forehead, and nose to give your skin a revitalised glow.

  1. They are reversible if you are not satisfied

Are you afraid of the thought of committing to lip fillers? Not a problem! If you change your mind at any point following your procedure, your fillers can easily be dissolved with the injection of an enzyme solution to break down the HA and reverse your results.

  1. Leaving the clinic is not the end of treatments

Although there is no downtime associated with lip filler treatment and the procedure itself typically lasts no longer than an hour, it is best to take a day off from your exercise routine to allow the filler to settle correctly.

Avoid touching the treatment area for 24 hours and skip blood-thinning products, like alcohol and aspirin, for at least three days.

  1. Remember, only make decisions with self-love in mind

No one can and should make your beauty treatment choices for you. You should never feel pressured into making decisions you are uncomfortable with concerning your body and always ensure that any aesthetic choices are made with self-love in mind.

For more information concerning fillers in Weybridge, contact your practitioner to discuss how lip filler treatments can enhance your look and help you achieve a naturally beautiful pout.

A tale of victory over depression

By
Madhuri Saikia
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depression

After an arduous four years battle with depression, he finally got estranged from its claws. Numerous relapses and a mulish addiction to alcohol, brought him miseries that he could barely imagine in his wildest dreams.

“Depression strolls in one’s life begging for its existence. Once it senses any hint of odd, uncovers its majestic form, under different highs and lows.” He said.

An abusive father, bad companions, and maltreatment in school made the ground of depression fertile for him. He was one of those, who would suppress his emotions and cover his thoughts, no matter how devastating they are.

In the beginning, he was totally clueless about the series of unwanted events happening with him. Craving for high-calorie food, sleep issues, increased argument with his girlfriend, feeling numb and hazy every time, became his regular routine.

After much contemplation, he could match signs with depression. Spaced out, he decided to disclose the matter to his parents. But his surprise jumped in amusement when his dad brought him a Brainolia (a kind of memory enhancing syrup) while his mom massaged his scalp with Navratna oil (a soothing ayurvedic hair oil).

Finally, seeking a psychologist was his only choice left. He was prescribed with antidepressants. For four years he soaked in antidepressants, with higher doses every week.

A conversation about his struggle with prolonged depression

As he says, “Depression is all about self-esteem. We have a monitor in our mind. When we do good, it feels good and when something bad happens, it feels bad. But once you learn to distinguish between good and bad, learn to stand for yourself, that self-esteem gradually builds up.”

Q: How was depression, your old friend?
A: I broke up with her now. There are times when she didn’t let me sleep for days. That phase was horrible but it taught me many things.

Q: How did it all end?
A: I was drained, both mentally and physically. Depression had taken away my health, sleep, and my life completely. And antidepressants, they deteriorated the situation more. Around 4 am, one day, I was lying in bed and staring at the ceiling. Out of sheer frustration, I walked out of my home. Kept walking, heedlessly. After few hours, I felt good. And then, there’s no stopping since then.

Q: Did you get hook on to any sort of drugs?
A: Yes, I was an extensively into alcohol and marijuana. In one instance, I drank a full raw bottle of whisky, with a hope to gain some sleep. But woke up with wide eyes within two hours. However, I am all clean now.

Q: Did you experience any suicidal ideation?
A: I felt total numbness but there were no suicidal thoughts. Also, I was not afraid to die. It was like let things happen their way.

Q: How were your parents and friends? Did they support you?
A: My parents and siblings were quite supportive, unlike my friends. When I discussed my condition with my friends, they lend a hand with alcohol. They were just waiting for me to get well. When I was recovering, still battling, they influenced me toward alcohol, once again. Further, relapse knocked.

Overcoming depression

After the fourth cup of coffee, he put forth some of the important practices he followed that helped him in his battle. Below are some of them:

  • Journaling helps a lot. I jot down all my good, bad, and ugly feelings. These anecdotes now help me in making music.
  •  Stay away from bad influence and from any sort of drugs. Eventually, you will fall into the trap of addiction, further depreciating things more.
  • Avoid narcissistic people. Learn about narcissism and co-dependency.
  • Avoid any kind of spiritual modality. You will likely fall prey to these. Be VERY CAREFUL.
  •  Exercise is a must. You will feel lethargic, not want to even think of it. This is a very slow process. It took me a year. But exercising augmented my thought process and helped in enhancing my self-worth. I started loving my life.
  • Self-counseling helps. I treat myself as a child. I ask questions, about things that hurt me, why did I feel bad about something that the other person had said, is it good? Is it bad? Then I come to the climax.
  • Know that you cannot please everyone. Society is a huge problem. Prejudices like you are too good to revert to an elderly person’s (wrong) views, would subsequently want you to restore their faith in you.

There have been numerous times when he was raped, mentally. After four years of living in absolute darkness, Ankit finally defeated his demons. He is now happy to embrace the scars left by his kick-boxing practices than by those dreadful four years.

Struggle of distinguishing depression

The word “depression” is powerful enough to frighten anyone. In a world with more than 300 million people struggling with depression, only a handful of them dares to speak up about their mental status. And others? They suffer in the shadows of misery, despondency, and ultimately seek suicide as their final destination.

Camouflaged by societal stigma, prejudices, and indifference, people battling with depression or any other mental clutter could barely distinguish their problems or seek professional guidance.

There are people who may not even realize the signs and intensity of depression and in turn, can fall in the vicious cycle of drug or alcohol addiction. Thus, it’s imperative to know and understand the signs before it is too late.

 

Editor’s Take: We will update an article on the signs and symptoms of depression in our health section soon.

Also, don’t forget to share this article. Help us reach this story to others in need.

SUICIDE – Know the warning signs

By
Madhuri Saikia
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warning signs, suicide

In every 40 seconds, a person commits suicide, leading to over 800,000 suicides every year. Albeit every suicide is a personal tragedy, its effect on family, friends, and communities are far-reaching and devastating. As per World Health Organization (WHO), it is the second leading, yet preventable cause of death among 15-29-year-old globally.

Tragically, suicide failed to be recognized as a serious public health concern despite its growing statistics. The taboo and stigma encircling it stood intact. People struggling with a mental cramp barely could stand to speak up about their condition. Fearing, they could be estranged from the society or look down upon as not normal.

The idea of a happy and satisfactory life varies from person to person. While some muddle through the thorns with proper guidance and support, most others fall flat on them. Thus, is normal for anyone to experience suicidal thoughts at some stages of life.

A number of factors can collaborate to intensify a person’s vulnerability to suicidal behavior or suicide. These includes personal, social, psychological, cultural, biological, and environmental.

Furthermore, a person who plots to end his/ her miseries through suicide, exhibit a number of clues or signs to demonstrate their sufferings. Some of these signs see light, while others get choked, poisoned, bled, or drowned in hopelessness and despair.

Below are some of the warning signs that can save a life if acknowledged at the right time.

  • Alteration in one’s personality or behavior:

A person who considers suicide will display strange behavior like acute sadness or lost amid their own mind, speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness, abnormal sleeping habits, distraction from everyday chores, eating disorders, involvement in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs or alcohol.

  • Visible signs of mental distress:

Enduring with a prolonged grief, sudden and persistent mood swings, and unexpected rage are some of the common signs that should not go unseen. Besides, major mental health issues like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia are recognized as the leading cause of suicide worldwide. This is because people who undergo these depressive phases find it difficult to connect with the happiness string of life. They are wired to feel less pleasure from life and difficulty to match steps with everyday routine.

  • Sudden calmness:

Shifting to a tranquil state abruptly after a period of depression is a serious sign that the person has found a way to put an end to his or her sufferings.

  • Social isolation:

Due to loss of interest or pleasure from life, a person fighting with his/her inner demons, often isolate himself/herself from social influence. They will find excuses to constrain from interacting with family or friends.

  • Recent trauma or life crisis:

Traumatic life events like rape, sexual abuse, war, break up, divorce, or death of a loved one can trigger feeling of helplessness, guilty, or ashamed. An individual, under such distressing circumstances, is likely to seek peace through suicide.

  • Preparing suicide:

Self-mutilation, past attempts to suicide, or covering a family history of suicide can inevitably increase one’s risk to suicide. A person who considers suicide will engage in unusual affairs that they normally do not do. These include visiting friends and family members, making a will, giving away personal possessions, putting businesses in order, and so forth.

Respond to the warning signs at the earliest

Suicides or suicidal thoughts are desperate attempts to escape from a pain. When that plea for help fails miserably, locking all doors of a new beginning, people consider suicide as their final destination. Thus, it is imperative to understand the signs and give the person a chance to talk out their feelings and help in dragging them out of their griefs.

So the next time you find someone losing track with reality, talk to them. Help them find their lost routes.

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