Category: Health Issues

Panic Attack – An Introduction

A person with panic attack experiences extreme negative thoughts, fears and disruptive physical symptoms

Have you ever experienced a sudden rush of overwhelming nervousness and fear? This is what a panic attack feels like! It pounds your heart, plays havoc with your breathing, and makes you feel crazy or as if you are near death. If left untreated, a panic attack can lead to long-term panic disorder and other issues. The condition can be cured if you seek help early. Understanding the causes, symptoms and natural remedies is a part of winning your battle against the condition and taking control over life again. Here is all you wanted to know about the Panic attack and ways to overcome: 

What is a Panic Attack? 

A panic attack is characterized by an intense upsurge of fear occurring all of a sudden. It may be tough to recognize a clear trigger. Surprisingly, it can occur even while one is sleeping or in a relaxed state. Here are common signs of a panic attack:

Sweating

Breathlessness

Stomach cramps

Chest pains

Nausea

Dizziness

Shaking

Hot flashes

Sweating

Very fast heartbeat

Palpitations

Derealization

The attack may be either a one-time occurrence or repeat episodes. In most cases, recurrent attacks are triggered by a specific situation, which has caused a panic attack earlier. The patient feels threatened and unable to escape leading to triggering of fight-or-flight response of the body.

The person concerned may be happy and healthy and experience the attack unexpectedly. In some cases, he/she may suffer from the condition as a part of another disorder, such as depression, panic disorder, or social phobia. Nevertheless, panic attacks can be treated completely.

 Main Causes

Genetics and Environmental Factors – The exact cause has not been confirmed by researchers yet. However, the condition may trigger from a combination of factors. Some of the major ones include environmental and genetic factors. Studies reveal that the tendency to get panic attacks usually runs in families. Brain chemistry is also responsible for the condition.

Major Life Transitions – Major changes in life such as pregnancy, delivery of a baby, graduating from college, marriage or starting a job can cause panic attacks.

 

Stress – Severe stress is also a major cause of a panic attack. Loss of job, the death of a loved one, or divorce or bad memories of the past can lead to an attack.

Medical Causes – Panic attacks can also be a result of other medical conditions and physical reasons such as withdrawal of medications, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), excess use of stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or mitral valve prolapse (minor cardiac condition wherein one of the valves of heart doesn’t close properly). Besides, some kinds of phobias like fear of heights or fear of crowded places may trigger such attack.

Therefore, it is crucial to visit a doctor to rule out possibilities of these conditions.

Who are Likely to Suffer from Panic attack?

Those in late teens or early adulthood are more vulnerable to this condition. Also, it affects more women than men.

Individuals with a family history of panic attacks or disorder or a history of childhood sexual/physical abuse are likely to get panic anxiety. Point to note that, those subjected to major life stress, traumatic event, major transitions of life, smoking or excessive caffeine intake are likely to get panic anxiety. 

Natural ways to Control Panic Attack 

Use Lavender

Lavender essential oil will help you to calm yourself. A drop of it on collarbone or temple can help.

Avoid Caffeine, drugs, alcohol, and Smoking

Caffeine is not good for chronic anxiety. It may lead to nervousness and jitters. Caffeine may cause or exacerbate anxiety disorders. Hence, it is important to reduce the intake of caffeine. Also, smoking can also lead to anxiety and the same applies to alcohol as well as drugs, the best thing is to limit the intake strictly.

Quality Sleep

You should make quality sleep, a priority. Avoid reading or watching television in bed, using your phone, tablet, or computer in bed, and avoid tossing and turning.  Moreover, stay away from caffeinated drinks, large meals, and nicotine before bedtime.

Meditation Helps

This wonderful method can help you to get rid of muddled thoughts. In addition, meditation promotes calmness and mindfulness while providing relief from stress and anxiety. A 30-minute meditation session a day can alleviate symptoms of panic anxiety and work as an antidepressant.

Follow Healthy Diet

Intake of processed foods and preservatives can lead to mood swings. A diet high in sugar can also affect one’s temper. It is advisable to stay hydrated and avoid processed foods. Include a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing exercises can help you to restore normal breathing patterns and decrease anxiety. These are very helpful in handling faster heart rate, dizziness or lightheadedness caused by faster breathing pattern.

Is Freedom from Pain attack possible?

 For many, panic anxiety is a dreaded reality with no solution in existence. That is why they live in constant fear of getting another attack with a feeling of helplessness. The everyday life of such people is far from peace and happiness.

If you are one of them and looking forward to freedom from Panic attack and live a happy life, here is a valuable resource. For people dealing with panic attacks, anxiety, etc., on a daily basis, this resource is priceless, check this out here

This article is about the various causes that are responsible for hair loss in children and the immediate action that should be taken by the parents.

You might see your kid losing hair for no reason at all. This problem can turn into something serious when your kid grows up. Therefore, it is prudent to find out the reasons behind this problem before your child starts losing a lot of hair. Hair helps in instilling confidence within a person. Losing hair can be either a non-medical cause or a medical cause. It does not matter what the cause is, what matters is getting a quick treatment. Hair loss in children can result in a decreasing confidence.

What Causes Hair Loss

The problems normally differ from one child to another. Hair loss in kids can require the attention of a doctor or they can get resolved without seeking expert advice. For instance, the newborn babies start losing their hair at the early stage of their life. With time, this hair is replaced by the growth of permanent hair. However, if you feel that your child is going through any kind of problem, you should seek medical assistance immediately.

Medical Causes of Hair Loss

There are different medical causes that can be responsible for Hair loss in kids. This is most commonly seen in the children who are aged above 26 months.

2. Tinea Capitis:

This condition is caused when the scalp of your child gets ringworms, which is a deadly fungal infection. Your child may lose patches of his hair in oval or round shapes. The hair shafts can break and the scalp starts resembling the black dots. Your pediatrician may advise an antifungal treatment by consuming oral medicine. Keep in mind that this condition is contagious and you should not share objects that are in contact with your kid’s head.

3. Alopecia Areata:

This is a non-contagious condition which may be caused due to the attack of the immune system on your child’s hair follicles. It leads to a loss of hair in patches. Unfortunately, this condition cannot be cured permanently, but it can be controlled with a proper treatment.

4. Trichotillomania:

Hair loss can also be caused when the children keep plucking, pulling, rubbing or twisting their hair constantly. Patches of hair are seen on their hands. This normally happens due to excessive anxiety and stress in and around the environment of the child. One of the best ways to fix this problem is counseling.

5. Telogen effluvium:

This condition is caused due to excessive stress which is responsible for interrupting the growing circle of the hair. This can happen due to high fever, general anesthesia during surgery, an injury, or certain medications which might not have suited your child. The follicles do not grow and enter a resting phase. With time, your child may start losing hair and can become completely or partially bald. Though there is no treatment, as soon as the stress period is over, the hair starts growing back.

As a responsible parent, it is your duty to act immediately when you spot Hair loss in children. A proper treatment will allow your child to get back the confidence that he has lost.

Important tips for Asthma patients during Diwali

The name Diwali spells celebrations, lights, sweets, gifts, prayers, and fireworks. It is a festival that is celebrated by masses and classes with younger enthusiasts lighting fireworks & crackers. Ironically, this festival turns horrific for asthmatic patients as air pollution rises dangerously. They become more uneasy and skeptical instead of feeling elated. Here are a few important tips for Asthma patients during Diwali to help them survive aggravation of respiratory disorder.

Helpful Tips to get away with asthma aggravation this Diwali

1. Avoid going to congested areas where smoke hangs in the air and makes breathing difficult. If at all you need to go then take a good mask with you. Always keep your inhaler and medicines in the pocket.

2. Begin your morning with a glass of warm water with few drops of lemon also helps. Gargle with warm water and keep some duration between this ritual and your breakfast. Similarly, end your day by drinking a glass of warm water and gargles.

3. The sweets and fried snacks attract most, try to be very sparse while eating, as temptation would be very bad on your respiratory system.

4. Finish your night meals by 8 pm at night, take a glass of warm milk with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed in it before going to bed.

5. When at some unease with the breathing, try a hot water bottle on your chest and back. This will quickly add to some relief. You can also try taking normal steam from the steamer without adding any medicine to it.

6. Yogic exercises have been observed to benefit asthmatics in winters, especially during Diwali. If you prefer to do it outdoors along with the morning walks, choose the time after the sunrise and in the afternoons. Avoid walks after sunset when smog sets in, if possible refrain from visiting anywhere unless very important.

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7. The liquor and smoking should be cut off during the festival as this aggravates the breathing issue.

8. The beverages such as green tea, black coffee, and herbal tea help when you face some labored breathing.

Add-on some herbs in the food, available mostly in homes, during Diwali.

Ginger:

Ginger is used and suggested for various ailments, asthma is also one of them. The ginger reduces inflammation of air vents to lungs and relaxes muscles. Eat ginger with salad or by adding in the food. You can drink a mix of ginger juice, pomegranate juice, and honey during Diwali days.

Figs:

Figs help to throw out phlegm and regularize breathing. Try three dried figs soaked in water overnight and consume them along with that water.

Garlic:

It helps clear mucus from the lungs, eat them raw or boil them with little milk to drink.

Fenugreek:

It helps to detoxify the lungs, try a concoction of boiling fenugreek seeds with ginger juice and honey for quick relief. Take twice a day during Diwali.

Warm mustard oil with camphor massage on the chest and neck helps to give instant relief.

By applying and following these important tips for Asthma patients, your Diwali can be truly healthy and Happy. Happy Diwali!

Important tips for the diabetics in festival times

One can’t imagine festivals without the usual fanfare that includes sweets. In zest and enthusiasm of celebrating and following age-old traditions, one forgets to put a stop. Consequently, one becomes susceptible to health issues like diabetes. Its ill effects become more evident in the persons who are already suffering from high blood sugar. Here are a few important tips for the diabetics in festival times.

Choose Right Food

The food for diabetes-prone people should contain high fiber that can be obtained from vegetables and fruits in your meals. Adding different delectable juicy fruits like watermelon, strawberries, berries, pine nuts, and other nuts in yogurt can fulfill the urge for eating sweets. Even whole flour carrot cake is one good idea besides sweet potatoes, etc.  Look for lean meat like in chicken and fishes in meals.

Stay away from red meats, harmful carbs, processed sugar made dishes and avoid overindulgence with the food. Say goodbye to alcohol and bakery products to stay fine when enjoying festivities.

Implement Restraint

When the stomach is filled with all sorts of food the problem begins. Always leave some room for desserts. Eat healthy to stay away from diabetic development that could spoil your festival.

Stay away from sugar-based desserts, quick absorbing carbs, and overeating if staying fit is high on your priorities.

Follow Doctor’s advice

The doctors recommend eating small but increasing the numbers of meals says from 3 to 5-6. This keeps the blood sugar under control.

Stay away from sugar when preparing milk-based desserts. The natural sugar source such as dates or jaggery can be added to sweeten your dessert. Say a big NO to sweetmeats from the market; try making them at home by pure milk and ghee.

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Eat the right snacks

When you need to eat the snacks, try walnuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, fresh fruits that sustain sugar level, and other health recommendations.

Stay away from tempting deep-fried snacks, peanuts, and chats as these can cause your sugar to get out of control.

Active lifestyle

Keep yourself busy walking here and there, sitting and eating would not help you. Stay hydrated and drink water regularly to keep diabetic conditions at bay.

Stay away from big meals and inactivity when already having a field day gobbling and munching on titbits. Keep the body movement on to enjoy the fest.

Exercise is the mantra to enjoy festive food. A little exercise before sitting on the table for meals makes a huge difference to the sugar level. Exercises lower the sugar level and prepare your appetite. This also helps curb the cravings. If joining the party takes one peg of alcohol only. Try also some sugar-free diabetes-friendly recipes such as chocolate plum cake, desserts, and dishes with the sugar alternatives.

Above mentions tips for the diabetics in festival times may help to keep a check on their sugar level and enjoy the festival times without worrying for about their diabetes problem.

Warning signals that you have Vitamin K deficiency

Vitamin K is a vital vitamin for better health of bones and heart. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in blood clotting and bone mineralization. It also improves the natural performance of the brain, protects cancer, and promotes a healthy metabolism. You should never ignore warning signals that you have Vitamin K deficiency.

Those warning signals are explained below:

Easily bleed:

Heavy gum bleeding, menstrual bleeding, bruising, and nose bleeding are the symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency. Some other similar symptoms include blood in urine and bleeding inside the digestive tract. These are warning signals that show the patient must take doctor’s support to cure the problem as soon as possible.

Stomach pain:

Vitamin K is considered a vital nutrient for smooth digestion. It monitors and improves the performance of the digestive system. The deficiency of Vitamin K can result in poor digestion and stomach pain.

Blood-thinning:

The lack of Vitamin K can result in blood thinning. This vitamin is quite important to form blood clots and there would be no blood clots due to lack of Vitamin K. The blood would get thinner and it will start flowing even through some minor cuts.

Poor development of fetus:

Vitamin K deficiency can also affect the good growth of the fetus. There can be internal bleeding in the skull of the baby, underdeveloped facial features, malformed fingers, etc. All these are the signs of Vitamin K deficiency and therefore Vitamin K supplements are provided to pregnant women.

Hemorrhage:

The hemorrhages and poor blood coagulation are also the symptoms of vitamin K deficiency. The prothrombin content of the blood reduces due to the lack of Vitamin K. It causes blood clotting and other similar issues. The patients can also suffer from Alzheimer’s disease due to vitamin K deficiency. Therefore, early signs should not be ignored.

Hardening of arteries:

The lack of Vitamin K can also result in hardening of arteries. The extra supply of calcium in soft tissues can cause calcium-related health issues. It can harden the arteries and increase the troubles for the patients. People often consider it as an issue caused by calcium, but it is Vitamin K that affects arteries. Vitamin K deficiency can also result in cystic fibrosis, biliary obstruction, resection of the small intestine, and Malabo sorption.

Osteoporosis:

Several studies were conducted to prove Vitamin K’s relation to osteoporosis, low bone mass, and fractures. The researchers have found that Vitamin K deficiency results in weak bones and osteoporosis. Vitamin K is considered as an important nutrient for smooth osteocalcin function. It promotes the production of osteocalcin, which is a protein responsible for strong and healthy bones.

Diabetes and pre-diabetes:

Many health experts believe that Vitamin K plays a vital role in preventing diabetes by regulating glucose. It is possible to prevent diabetes by improving the intake of vitamin K containing foodstuff. It can reduce diabetes risk up to 51% and therefore people should take vitamin K supplements and foods that contain it naturally.