Tag: smoking

11 ways to get rid of Acid reflux 😠

by drjurisharma, posted in food, health, Life, mental health, wellness

Hello everyone ! Have a wonderful and safe day 🙋🏻

Reflux is the upward movement of the material from the stomach to the oesophagus through the lower oesophageal sphincter. The content of the material can be acid, food or air now and then. Usually, the sphincter remains tight, but when it becomes loose, stomach content migrates to the oesophagus.

Common causes of Acid reflux can be:

1.Overweight or obese.
2.Pregnancy
3.Hiatus Hernia (when part of the stomach bulges out into the chest through the diaphragm)
4.Eating a heavy meal and lying down on the right side or bending forward.


5.Drinking fizzy, carbonated drinks or alcohol.
6.Smoking.


7.Having too many beverages, like tea and coffee.
8.Intake of blood pressure medication or pain killers.

Commonly occurring symptoms are :

Burning sensation behind the sternum/breast bone. Also known as heartburn.
Belching/ Regurgitation of food.
Acidic taste in the mouth.
Atypical symptoms like coughing at night.

Acid reflux pain or heartburn can be very annoying and uncomfortable. If the episodes become frequent, the diagnosis is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The condition is diagnosed based on physical symptoms. But in prolonged cases, or frequent episodes, or in case of hiatus hernia, oesophageal stricture, diagnosis is done by ultrasound and CT scan. The treatment recommended with medication proton pump inhibitors, Omeprazole. In severe cases, some may require surgery.

But, there are several Lifestyle measures which we can adapt to reduce Acid reflux:

1. Changing the eating pattern by avoiding eating late at night. Avoiding large, heavy meal.

2. Getting rid of trigger foods like spicy, fried, citrous or even tomato-based food items.

3. Eating small meals at regular intervals and eating slowly by chewing properly.

4. Avoiding carbonated and fizzy drinks, avoiding alcohol, too much tea and coffee.

5. Quitting Smoking.

6. Destressing yourself before meals like by taking 5-6 deep breaths before each meal.

7. Don’t eat 2-3 hours before going to bed.

8. Sleeping on the left side so that it decreases the pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter and reduces gastric stress.

9. Using a pillow of sufficient height to support the head so that the abdomen and oesophagus are all in alignment.

10. Avoid tight clothing which may again cause gastric pressure and on the oesophageal sphincter.

11. Food preferred are


Green leafy vegetables
Non-citrous fruits
Oatmeal
Eggs
Lean meat and fish
Probiotics like yoghurt, buttermilk
Fennel seeds
Winter melon/Ash gourd
Ginger/turmeric


Aloe vera
Healthy fats like avocado, walnut.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings and much love to all 💐

 

 

 

 

 

Face ageing: 5 crucial tips 😌

by drjurisharma, posted in food, health, Life, mental health, nature, wellness

Hello everyone ! Have a wonderful and safe day 🙋🏻

Skin is the largest organ in the body and is most prominent. So, any kind of changes of ageing can be visible clearly in the skin. The skin, like other tissues, possess the extracellular matrix. This matrix comprises collagen and other structural compounds called Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans. All these compounds together contribute to the tightness of the tissues which keep our skin stiff and makes us look younger and radiant.

As we age, we tend to lose more collagen, proteoglycans and GAGs slowly. A research study has shown that another vital hormone produced in the liver called Insulin Growth Factor -1 (IGF-1) is related to facial ageing. These IGF-1 levels are inversely proportional to the levels of serum insulin in the body. When insulin level is high like in case of insulin resistance individuals, the IGF-1 level is low. So, insulin resistance individuals tend to age faster usually. Hyaluronic acid is a lubricant which is also naturally produced by our body which helps the skin and connective tissues to retain the moisture. We tend to lose this lubricant due to ageing and unhealthy food habits.

Facial ageing causes the horizontal and vertical lines to look prominent, thinned skin, loss of elasticity and collagen, loss of tissues and bones in the cheeks, fat atrophy, puffiness around eyes, sagginess around the neck and so on.

Common factors which aggravate the ageing process:

1.Smoking
2.Too much sun exposure causes skin damage. But, daily exposure to 10-15 mins of sunlight is useful for Vitamin D synthesis in the body.


3.Too much chemical-based cosmetic products like cremes, lotions, make up products are harmful.
4.Alcohol /drugs consumption
5.Refined processed food and too much sugar


6.Chronic stress causes high cortisol level.
7.Sedantery lifestyle and lack of exercise.

Specific important ways which prevent facial ageing :


1.Exercise: Most preferably maintaining an active lifestyle with the routine exercise of 30 mins to1 hour is ideal.A particular activity like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is short periods of 7-10mins of intense exercise with intervals of rest, and low-intensity exercise is beneficial to keep the cortisol level optimum. 

2.Enhance the quality of sleep: Sleep induces the release of HGH, human growth hormone and Insulin growth factor-1, which helps to prevent the breakdown of collagen and proteoglycans.


3.Intemittent fasting: Fasting of at least 16 hours can stimulate autophagy, body’s renewal mechanism, activates the immune system. Fasting increases the antioxidant activity and increase stem cell production.
4: Foods:
Collagen rich foods: These foods are a rich source of collagen, amino acids and hyaluronic acids.
Fermented foods: bone broth, green leafy veggies, caviar or fish roe, citrus fruits, mushrooms and seaweeds. To know more about collagen, please refer to my previous post https://healthhappinesshealing.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=4448&action=edit

Healthy fats: Omega 3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA found in oily fishes like salmon, tuna, sardines, nuts like walnuts, macadamia, pecan nuts, seeds like chia seeds, flax seeds.
Saturated fats like in grass-fed butter, ghee, coconut oil, olive oil are very helpful.


Organic Acids: Organic acids promote the growth of probiotics in the body, which helps to support the immune system and the cell renewal process. Organic acids found in fermented foods like saurkraut, kombucha are quite known for beauty benefits. The citric acid found in citrus fruits is also vital. Enzyme rich foods: Enzymes are essential for digestion and absorption of proteins in the body. Certain fruits with individual enzymes present in each of them like papaya contain papain. Figs contain ficans. Pineapple contains bromelain and kiwi have actinidain are all-powerful proteolytic enzymes which helps in the polysaccharide metabolism and the digestive process. Fruits are also rich in antioxidants which prevent free radical damage.


Vitamins: Fat-soluble vitamins D, K, E, A are all essential for the prevention of free radical damage and cells renewal process.

5.Essential oils: These natural oils work naturally on the skin by hydrating and moisturizing. Some commonly used oils for beauty purpose are geranium, frankincense, lavender, jojoba, myrrh, rose and rosemary.

So, it is crucial to understand that to have a healthy body, a glowing skin, and healthy hair; it is necessary to correct our food habits and lifestyle rather than spending an enormous amount on cosmetic treatments and beauty products. The approach should be inside out rather than external means.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings and much love to all 💐

Osteoporosis is Calcium-deficiency state: A myth 😇

by drjurisharma, posted in health, Life, mental health, wellness

Hello everyone ! Have a wonderful and safe day 🙋🏻

Osteoporosis is a significant issue, commonly associated with ageing where the bone density is lost, bones become porous, brittle and weak. They are easily prone to fracture with the slightest hurt. Structurally, bones consist of protein, minerals and calcium. Since calcium maintains the structure and density of bones, osteoporosis is considered as the calcium deficiency state. This saying is not always true. People started to consume calcium supplement in excess, which may, in turn, create problems rather than solving the issue. High intake of calcium can increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke by calcification of coronary arteries; there is the deposition of calcium around joints and kidney stones.

The causes associated with osteoporosis can be :

1.Menopausal due to low estrogen level.
2.Vitamin D deficiency
3.Smoking
4. Malabsorption syndrome.
5.Low vitamin K2 level
6.High stress causes high cortisol level
7.Certain medications like steroids.

Knowing that calcium is an integral part of the bone structure doesn’t necessarily mean that weakening or osteoporosis is calcium deficiency. But as mentioned above, it can be due to many other causes or risk factors involved. Consuming calcium supplement in excess can be toxic to the body. Unlike other minerals like potassium and magnesium, which are eliminated by the kidneys when taken in excess, the calcium deposits cannot be eliminated easily by the body. They get deposited in coronary arteries causing high risk to coronary artery diseases, calcium deposits in joints and calcium stones in the kidneys.

Diagnosis of Osteoporosis is made by bone density scan and bone markers.
The treatment is based on the underlying cause and prevention—treatment with biphosphate medications under clinical supervision.

Specific Preventive measures like :
1. Nutrient-dense diet, rich in calcium and vitamin D, K2.
2. Lowering stress by calming the mind with Mindfulness, meditation.
3.Enough sleep


4. Exposure to sunlight for the natural source of Vitamin D
5.Limiting smoking and alcohol


6.Weight training exercises
7. Regular checking of hormone levels.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings and much love to all 💐

 

 

 

 

 

Post: Detoxification: 4 realities.

by drjurisharma, posted in Uncategorized

Once we step out of our house, we are exposed to a host of environmental pollutants, allergens, hazardous chemicals, processed food, heavy metals, pesticides and so on. All of them have a hazardous effect on our body.

Medical experts do not really urge the need for detoxification as our body has a natural ability to eliminate toxins and waste. Skin, liver, kidneys, bowels and lungs naturally eliminate toxins.
But then, why do we keep hearing about detoxification methods which often catch our attention ?

4 realities ;

  1. Detoxification is quite necessary when your body’s natural mechanism is disturbed. Sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits, overeating, too much of alcohol, smoking may contribute. Some occupational hazard (regular exposer to heavy metals like lead, arsenic) and people with digestive disorders may require to detoxify.

2. The concept of a detox diet may sound appealing but is quite a misconception. Detox diet which may include specific food with detoxifying properties, laxatives, liquids don’t really identify or remove specific toxins. There is no scientific evidence of any diet which can eliminate specific toxins.
The human body itself is equipped with an efficient detoxifying system. The detox diet can at best facilitate the natural system.

3. Change in lifestyle is an important tool to optimize our body’s natural ability of detoxification. Cutting down sugar, processed food, reduce intake of alcohol, reduce salt intake and maintaining an active life (to boost metabolism) are very essential. Having adequate sleep daily is helpful to remove toxic waste (beta-amyloid) from the brain. Sleeping about 6-7 hours of quality sleep ensures good health.

4.Drinking lots of water, staying hydrated throughout the day help remove toxins, waste through urine, sweat and also breathing. Antioxidant-rich diets composed of fresh fruits and vegetables help to eliminate the excess free radicals and fight the body’s oxidative process. Food rich in prebiotics like banana, tomatoes, garlic, oats, asparagus help in increasing the good bacteria in gut called probiotics. A healthy gut is necessary for effective body’s natural detoxification.

Leading a well-disciplined life is quite effective for the body’s natural mechanism of detoxification. Adopting methods like a detox diet, going to spas, sauna bath, sweating therapy, fasting methods can be individual choices.