Tag: healthcare

Suffering from Insomnia? Here are 5 ways to treat it!

Blog-Image_1_24th-AugInsomnia is irritating and it kind of makes you groggy! If you have trouble sleeping, here are some tips to prevent insomnia and have a sound, deep sleep!

  1. Exercise – To have a great sleep, sweat it out! Hit the gym in the morning or go for a jog in the evening, so that your body gets tired and you go to sleep immediately! The best recommended time to exercise is 4-5 hours before sleep. Remember not to work out too much during this hour, but opt for cycling, brisk walking or even basic yoga asanas, as they can help you have a sound sleep at night.
  2. Avoid coffee and nicotine – Refrain from caffeine and nicotine, especially during bedtime, as they can block certain sleep-inducing chemicals, and can make you awake all night! Also, if you are an avid smoker, try not to smoke during bedtime, as it can affect your sleeping pattern.
  3. Check your medications – Your medicines might be the culprit behind your sleep! Thyroid medication, antidepressants and other drugs can interfere with your sleep. Check with your doctor before you start any new medicine as they can have an impact on your sleeping cycle.
  4. Maintain a healthy weight – Your sleep-related hormone levels get disturbed if you are overweight, and you can develop major sleep-related issues due to that.
  5. Manage stress – Stress can be a major reason for insomnia, find ways to manage your stress, so that you can enjoy a peaceful sleep. You can either join a yoga class or do meditation on your own to relax your mind. Don’t let stress keep you up at nights!

Insomnia can take a major toll on your health, so don’t take it lightly! Consult a doctor if the problem still persists, as there could be other numerous reasons behind your sleepless nights!  Take care and sleep well!

 

Myths and Facts About Hepatitis C

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Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. According to WHO, an estimated 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C infection, globally.

This World Hepatitis Day, let’s clear out all the myths and know the real facts about Hep C!

  1. Myth – You know if you have Hep C

Fact – You can have Hep C and not know about it

Since there are hardly any early signs of Hep C, people who have this infection might not know that they have it. People usually discover it when they have severe illness like liver disease and kidney problems.

  1. Myth – There’s a vaccine for Hepatitis C

Fact – There’s NO vaccine for Hepatitis C

People assume that there is a vaccine for Hepatitis C, but in reality, there isn’t one developed as of now.  Though, there are vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, but not for Hep C.

If you or someone you know has Hep C, getting tested and vaccinated for Hep A and B is recommended by experts, as Hep A and B along with Hep C can increase your chances of getting sick.

  1. Myth – Hepatitis is an STD

Fact – It is not a sexually transmitted disease

If you are in contact with an infected person’s blood, then you can get the virus. In very rare case, Hepatitis C is spread through sexual contact. It’s not an STD, and doesn’t spread through fluids like semen and saliva. The virus in these fluids is found in very small amounts, the main reason is blood to blood contact with the infected person.

  1. Myth – Hep C is a death sentence

Fact – Hep C is NOT a death sentence

According to HCVAdvocate.org, 90% of people living with chronic Hep C would have long and productive lives. Only a small percentage would develop some serious liver disease. To manage the virus, it is imperative to go to your doctor for the regular monitoring.

Don’t jump to conclusions when it comes to Hepatitis C! Know all the facts and keep everyone around informed!

5 Easy Ways To Stay Healthy This Monsoon

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Monsoon is everyone’s favourite, because it provides respite from the severe summer heat. But, unfortunately, it also brings with it a host of diseases!

Following are some preventive measures you can take to stay healthy this season:

  1. Take a shower as soon as you reach home after getting soaked in rain – If you get drenched in rain, it’s important to take a hot shower, to get rid of the germs. Also, avoid entering in an air-conditioned room when you are wet, as you can easily get cold and cough with the change in temperature.
  2. Avoid eating street food – We all crave for hot pakoras and spicy street food in these rains, but the chances of these foods being contaminated are higher in this season. Street food can wait, but your health can’t. So, avoid these foods if you want to enjoy the rains in the best of your health!
  3. Keep your house clean – Viral infections like malaria, dengue, typhoid and cholera are rampant during this season. So, keep your house clean and pest-free, and replace the broken drainpipes as they are the breeding ground for germs.
  4. Wash your hands frequently – We all struggle with seasonal flus and cold at this time of the weather. Therefore, it’s important to wash hands before/after we eat to prevent diseases and infections.
  5. Keep yourself hydrated – Staying hydrated is the solution for all your health problems; as it builds up your resistance to fight infections. Drink at least 10 glasses of water and avoid tea, coffee if you can, and switch to green tea/juices to stay healthy.

If you still get ill even after following all the preventive measures, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor for the treatment! You can also avail Oncquest’s health tests to stay protected against these common monsoon diseases like Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya, Diarrhea and Typhoid.

Stay safe and have a happy monsoon!

Simple Tips To Keep Your Heart Healthy!

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Today’s desk jobs, sedentary lifestyle and workplace pressures escalate stress levels, taking a toll on one’s heart. Not only old people, but youngsters are also prone to these heart diseases.

Here we bring some simple tips to make your heart happier & healthier!

  1. Quit Smoking – This has to be the first step towards a healthier heart! The risk of heart disease reduces by 50 percent, as soon as one quits smoking. WHO also reports that the risk of coronary heart disease in non-smokers is about half that of a smoker’s.  So, before you pick that next cigarette, remind yourself of all the health risks associated with it. It’s high time you take your health seriously!
  2. Watch your weight – Being overweight can double your risk of heart diseases. So, get up, move a little – take stairs instead of lifts, stick to a healthy, balanced diet and be physically active. Don’t lose those extra kilos for anyone but you; your heart will thank you later!
  3. Don’t sit for too long – Sitting for long hours at one place can increase your risk of various diseases, including heart ailments. Even if your job involves sitting all day, don’t forget to get up and go for a walk every hour.
  4. Get enough sleep – No matter what your age is, getting enough sleep is the key to keep your heart healthy! 7-8 hours of sleep is imperative to keep all cardiovascular diseases at bay!
  5. Look after your mental health – Depression is not taken seriously in our country, but the truth is that people with depression have a higher chance of heart diseases. Therefore, look after your mental health, if you feel stressed, talk to your family/friends. Don’t let depression become a threat to your health.

Take care of yourself and let your heart be happy!

Tips for Diabetics To Deal With Summer

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Heat and humidity majorly affect people with chronic diseases! And if you have diabetes, the situation gets worsen in the summer.

Follow these tips for a stress-less summer!

  1. Stay hydrated – Dehydration can happen on these very hot summer days whether you have diabetes or not. But if you have diabetes, you need to be extra careful about your liquid intake. Keep yourself fully hydrated by drinking at least 10-12 glasses of water every day.
  2. Check blood glucose levels regularly – Summer heat can make your blood glucose levels to fluctuate. Don’t forget to carry lots of liquid and snacks wherever you go. It’s more important than ever in these summers!
  3. Don’t ignore the signs of heat exhaustion – People with diabetes are more susceptible to heat. So if you are at work, or if you are exercising outdoors, don’t ignore the signs of heat exhaustion. Some symptoms are: headaches, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, fainting, and if you experience these symptoms, don’t think twice before moving to a cooler environment, and seek medical attention.
  4. Do not store insulin in extreme temperatures – Always store insulin or blood glucose meter or strips at a dry, cool place. Don’t ever put them in a freezer on under direct sunlight.
  5. Exercise at a cool place or at moderate temperatures – Don’t exercise under a fan in this dreadful summer, always exercise at a cool place like at an air conditioned gym, or exercise in the evening with moderate temperature.

Diabetes can also have serious health complications, if not taken care of! Keep a track of your diabetes with Oncquest’s affordable Fitness Health Package! Get screened at the comfort of home, and avail the reports online.

Stay safe this season and don’t let summer heat take a toll on your health!

5 TIPS TO QUIT SMOKING

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Smoking is one of the leading causes of death in our country, killing almost 1lakh people every year.

Smoking is an addiction, which can destroy your life in ways you can’t even imagine. If you don’t want to be a slave to nicotine for life, and want to break free, follow these tips.

  1. Challenge yourself – Quitting smoking is a gradual process, it won’t happen overnight. Therefore, set goals which you can accomplish. Give yourself the challenge to not smoke for next 2 days, rather than giving yourself a challenge to not smoke for the rest of your life.
  2. Replace your cravings with healthier options – Whenever you feel like having that next cigarette, replace your craving with something healthy like your favourite fruit, your favourite chocolate or something which you really love. Also, don’t hang out in a smoking-zone and keep yourself away from your smoking circle for a while.
  3. Maintain a piggy bank – The money which you were spending every month on smoking, put all that money in a piggy bank. It will give you a positive motivation towards your goal of quitting smoking.
  4. Seek support – It’s definitely not easy to stop smoking, therefore, talk to your parents, friends about it. Tell them how you are feeling, and ask for their help in this. You can also talk to people who have successfully quit smoking or who are trying like you to quit it.
  5. Remember the reason why you started at the first place – When it gets tougher to quit, keep remembering why you started on this path of quitting. Also, you can make a list of things which can improve in your life if you quit smoking, like a healthier lifestyle, healthy lungs and a more meaningful life. Remember the benefits and don’t stop midway.

As soon as you quit, your body starts repairing the damage you did to yourself.  Quitting smoking can make a drastic improvement to your health! Give it a try for yourself!

 

Blog-image_2 (6)People, these days, highly invest in house, car, education, etc. but a very few bother to invest in their health. It is ironic because if your health is good, you have everything, and if your health is not, you have nothing. Still, people care to invest in other things rather than their own health.

Let’s understand the importance of regular health checkups:

  1. They lower the risk of serious complications which can strike later in your life.
  2. The cost of treatments is rising to new heights in India, and the number of diseases is also on a new high, therefore if you get treated at an early stage rather than an advanced stage, your treatment cost gets lesser.
  3. Health checkups give you a detailed analysis of your health. Even when you are feeling you are absolutely okay, it can tell you about the disease you might be suffering. Remember, a healthy looking body doesn’t always mean that you are absolutely healthy.
  4. The lifestyle which we live these days totally demands health checks. People are always glued to their phones, and computer screens, and you may never know what harm it is doing to your body. A health check-up, in this case, can tell you a lot about what’s happening with your body.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 4 Indians are at risk of dying from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart diseases, lung & respiratory diseases, high blood pressure and Cancers. Investing in health checks is an absolute must in today’s scenario, to take better care of the health! Oncquest’s Fitness Health Package is a simple and hassle-free health package to keep you and your family’s health on track! From kidney function test to liver test to thyroid profile test and blood test & more, this is the most affordable package one can get in the market. Additional benefits are: you can view the reports online; which is a time-saving and stress-free process.

Early detection and appropriate management of diseases can help us lead a healthy life! Go for health tests to lower your risk of diseases as your health is the most invaluable investment you can make!

Top 4 Summer Diseases You Should Look Out For

Blog-image_1 (2)Summer heat brings a plethora of diseases with it!

With mercury levels rising to new heights daily, it is very important to know about these summer diseases so that we can take better care of our health!

  1. Chicken Pox – One of the most common summer diseases, that develops usually in children below age 12. Some of the symptoms of chicken pox include high fever, sore throat, itchy pustules. As chicken pox is highly contagious, one must avoid meeting the infected person as virus can spread easily. If usually happens once in a life, but if it happens again in adults, the symptoms are even worse and take more time to recover.
  2. Diarrhoea – Though Diarrhoea can strike at any point, but in summers, the chances of diarrhoea are doubled. In scorching summers, diarrhoea can especially hit children and young people. One needs to be really cautious in summer to avoid this disease! Drinking unsafe water and eating contaminated food increase the chances of diarrhoea, so avoid eating foods from open stalls and go for fresh food. Also, boil the water before you drink it. All these precautions would help you prevent this problem.
  3. Measles – Measles is also a viral infection, which flares up in summer. Usually this also strikes in children, and if the child gets infected with it, keep him/her indoor and keep him properly hydrated. There are vaccines which help you prevent this disease.
  4. Food Poisoning – Food poisoning is a major summer problem. The risk of contamination from food increases in summer heat, therefore it is important to keep the leftover food in the fridge and then consume it. Milk should also be boiled properly; ensure that all the food which you intake is fresh and properly cooked.

This summer, don’t let diseases haunt you! Stay safe and healthy! Take care!

 

 

5 Healthy Ways to Beat the Heat

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The mercury levels are shooting up to new heights, and it is very important to keep your cool in these scorching summers.

We bring you a few ways to beat this summer heat:

  1. Quench your thirst with water – It’s important to stay hydrated in summers as you can experience symptoms such as headache, fever, constipation, dizziness etc. if you’re not consuming enough water.

Alleviate summer burn by consuming at least 10 glasses of water per day.

  1. Drink green tea – Green Tea can be magical for you in these summers. The antioxidant properties of green tea fight wrinkles, age spots and other forms of sun damage. Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause skin redness; green tea is also a saviour in such a situation as it reduces all those redness.

Have two cups of green tea in a day for a healthier summer!

  1. Cut intake of fried foods – Don’t munch on fried foods like samosa, vada, bread pakora etc. especially in summers. As fried foods take longer time to digest, they should totally be avoided in summers.

Have fresh veggies and fruits instead of all these junk food, as they will keep you energetic all day in summers.

  1. Drink lemon juice, coconut water and buttermilk – Including healthy drinks like lemon juice, coconut water and buttermilk in summers will keep you hydrated and would also improve your digestive health.

Say bye-bye to summer blues with healthy drinks.

  1. Snack at work – If your work involves sitting in front of a computer for 9 hours, you must put your favourite healthy snacks like fruits, yogurt, dark chocolate on your desk.

Having these nutritious snacks at regular intervals will nourish your body and help you beat the summer heat!

With the sun shining bright upon us, adopt these healthy ways to bid adieu to the summer heat!

 

5 Things You Can Do To Prevent Cancer

 

Blog-image_2 (2)People often blame their luck, when it comes to Cancer. But instead of bad luck, our lifestyle & food habits play a bigger role in giving birth to Cancer!

Most of the Cancers are lifestyle related, and with appropriate changes, you can easily reduce the risk of developing Cancer.

Below are some of the things you can do to keep Cancer at bay:

  1. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables – Diet plays a crucial role in your overall health. If you eat the right food, your chances of getting diseases become lesser. Garlic, broccoli, green tea, red grapes, tomatoes are some of the things you should eat to lower your risk of Cancer.
  1. Be physically active – Being physically active doesn’t mean going to the gym and lifting heavy weights! If you are not a gym person, take up any other activity which you enjoy, like yoga, dancing, boxing, etc. You can also make small lifestyle changes like taking stairs instead of the lift; this will result in maintaining a proper weight and thus lowering your risk of Breast, Colon and many other Cancers.
  1. Say no to smoking – Everyone knows smoking is not good for health. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of Cancer, worldwide! Not only Lung Cancer, but Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Colon and other Cancers are also related to smoking. Quit smoking and lead a healthy life now!
  1. Avoid packaged foods – Packaged foods have high levels of sugar and sodium, which is very bad for your health! These foods are surely less time consuming, but can increase your Cancer risk. Stay away from packaged foods!
  1. Limit your alcohol intake – Regular consumption of alcohol can damage your liver, and would also increase your chance of Liver, Pancreatic, Breast & Mouth Cancer. Drink it occasionally, if you can’t quit alcohol completely!

Start taking control of your health; make informed & healthy choices to reduce the risk of Cancer!