Diseases and Stigmas that Haunt Them

What are stigmas of diseases? Stigma is a “collection of negative attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours that influence the individual, or the general public, to fear, reject, avoid, be prejudiced, and discriminate against people”. It is the negative feedback or discrimination done by a healthy individual on a diseased individual. This enables varieties of discrimination that leads to denial of the individual from full social acceptance and ignites social inequalities. In a society stigma draws a fine invisible line between “normal” and “outsider,” and between “us” and “them”. And to our surprise God doesn’t discriminate but we humans do - one of the finest creations of God. This is how humans treat humans. We say we are educated but such behaviour towards anyone makes one educated illiterate. These stigmas sometimes break the individual so much that he himself starts to think that he is a so-called “outsider”. This sounds like a stereotype, doesn’t it? Don’t you think this is another way of discrimination just like racism and caste discrimination?

Question is how we can erase this line of discrimination which is adding another challenge that is disturbed mental health? So, it should have the same norms as for any other discrimination. Also stigmatizing an individual not only affects that person but also the family and immediate community. Sometimes this leads to not getting acceptance from the family itself due to the society pressure. So, the affected individual starts losing confidence and not approaching for professional help. Along with physical illness, they are forced to go through mental illness which at times brings them to a point of committing suicide. Many suicides in India are due to such chronic illness. Such stigmas are way more harmful than the disease itself. The disease a person is suffering from may be curable, however, the stigmas suffixed to it can’t. Most commonly the people suffering from AIDS, leprosy, mental illness and recently COVID-19 are the preys to these stigmas. What we need to understand is this can happen to us as well.

It’s important to make them realize that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to respond. We should give them sufficient time to process the news so that they are kind to themselves while adjusting to new situations. So, let's take a decision of not letting them go through another level of distress when they are already going through one. It not only affects people who are suffering, but also creates a negative impact on ordinary people. It makes people to hide symptoms or illness, keep them from seeking help on time and ultimately leading to increased suicide rates. The laws should be as strict as for discrimination and harassment because we all know this is no less than a crime. So, let's come together and join hands against such stigmas!

Stop the Stigmas, Support the Stigmatized!

 

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Yoga: The Harmony WIthin

The Bhagavad Gita quotes “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” Every human desires to live in harmony with self and environment, however he is never able to strike balance between demands and necessities. As a result of imbalance he suffers from physical and mental stress. Practicing yoga helps in detachment and gaining control over mind, body and soul. It brings physical and mental disciplines in unison to attain a peaceful bliss. Undoubtedly it helps in keeping stress, anxiety and health anomalies at bay.

Yoga had a very humble beginning in India some 5,000 years ago during Indus-Sarasvati civilization. Earlier it was only practiced by rishi’s and supreme sages, but later on as the sages started including yoga in their curriculum for their disciples yoga gained popularity. Today yoga is practiced by millions of people worldwide, millions of people have experienced the profoundness of yoga and the surreal benefits it offers. The word “Yoga’’ finds its reference in Sanskrit which means “to join, to unite”, the word itself  has comprehensive meaning. Yoga consists of practical instructions for the body, breath, concentration, relaxation and meditation.  Hence yoga helps in developing holistic effects on body, mind, consciousness and soul. 

Yoga exercises are taught worldwide in education centers, rehabilitation centers, health resorts and fitness clubs. It can be performed by people of any age group owing to its easy and age flexible exercises, yoga doesn’t require any special acrobatic skill so it can be practiced by ill, handicapped and convalescent people. It helps in restoring respiration, energy and vitality. Yoga can improve the way you feel, look and move. Regular practice aids in keeping check on weight gain, disturbed immunity, and helps gain confidence.

Yoga integrates all areas of life and offers something in each phase of life.

“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.”

• B. K. S Iyengar

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Nutrition

Nutrition is sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substance which affects our health. Food consists of macronutrients including protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate and fat. This fat not only offers calories to fuel the body and give it energy but also plays a specific role in maintaining health. Nutrition plays a very important role in growth and development of an individual. People with adequate nutrition are found to be more productive and are at lower risk of non-communicable disease such as diabetes.

Eating habits:

● Drink plenty of water.

● Avoid processed food - Stick with real food like vegetables, fruits, lean meats, nuts and low-fat dairy.

● Get into the habit of eating breakfast every day; it can help reduce snacking later on. Avoid getting extra hungry or eating too much.

● Eat a balance of 45 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent proteins and 35 percent good fats.

● Increase the amount of healthy vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and tomatoes.

● Limit salt, sugar, alcohol, saturated fat & trans-fat in your diet.

If you take care of yourself, you can keep your cholesterol and blood pressure within a safe range thus decreasing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Exercise habits:

Exercise in the morning. It's easier to stick to your good habits if you have a comrade. Participate in a variety of activities you enjoy, whether it's walking, running, aerobics, or tennis. Track your progress - You know you are on the right track when you sleep better, think more clearly, have a lower resting heart rate and feel stronger.

Balanced diet:

A balanced diet is one that fulfills all of a person's nutritional needs to stay healthy without going over the recommended daily calorie intake.

Components of a balanced diet:

●Carbohydrates. A vital source of energy, carbohydrates comprises about 60% of an individual's diet.

● Protein. Protein is needed to assist your body to repair cells and make new ones.

● Fats, Vitamins, Minerals and Water.

Malnutrition:

Malnutrition is a serious condition that happens when your diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients (poor nutrition). Two types:

1) Undernutrition – not getting enough nutrients

2) Overnutrition – getting more nutrients than needed

Signs and symptoms of malnutrition:

• Feeling tired and weak all the time

• Getting ill often and taking a long time to recover

• In children, not growing or not putting on weight at the expected rate unintentional weight loss – losing 5% to 10% or more of weight over 3 to 6 months is one of the main signs of malnutrition

• A low body weight – people with a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 are at risk of being malnourished

• A lack of interest in eating and drinking

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Hygiene: The Key to Wholistic Health

According to World health organization (WHO), hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to prevent the spread of diseases. The definition itself explains that hygiene maintenance helps us to keep away from diseases. Hygiene maintenance is essential part of day to day life and it also has great impact on our health as well as on environment. Good hygiene is key to prevent infection when wounds and skin irritations are present. Poor hygiene can result in dirt and other bacteria to enter and stay inside skin wounds, while good hygiene can ward off this bacteria to prevent infection.

Hygiene is not only limited to individual but also has a great impact on environment and community. There are different types of hygiene:

● Personal hygiene includes avoiding unsanitary habits and actions, wearing proper attire, etc.

● Environmental hygiene involves solid and liquid waste management, air pollution control, soil pollution control, etc.

● Occupational hygiene means safety and hygiene at workplace.

● Institutional hygiene involves communal hygiene in schools, hospitals, etc.

No matter what is type of hygiene, it's our prime responsibility to maintain personal as well as community hygiene. In India within 5 years nearly 1,00,000 diarrheic death of children occurred.

Poor hygiene impairs the health leading to high rates of malnutrition and productivity losses.

There are lot of diseases related to poor hygiene for example:

● Hot tub rash

● Chronic diarrhoea

● Pinworms

● Body lice

● Lymphatic filariasis

Though, there are many diseases but it is in our hands to prevent it by taking various precautions in our daily life. 

Some of them are:

● Frequent hand washing

● Avoid open defecation

● Proper solid and liquid waste management

● Conducting cleanliness drives and educational camps to promote hygiene among local people.

So, taking proper precautions will lead to healthy living. Indeed personal hygiene heals more than doctor's prescribed medicines.

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Menstruation: The Red Truth

Menstruation  is  the period  during  which  there is discharge of blood  and mucosal  lining of the uterus  through  vagina. Menstrual discharge occurs for  3-7 days. The average  age when females attain their  first menstruation is between 12-15 years, this period  is known  as 'Menarche'. There is no particular age to state when a female attains menarche as it profoundly depends on her ambient environment, and metabolism. For instance if a girl belongs to places where temperatures are low she might attain menarche quite late than the girl who stays in a place where temperatures soars higher. 

The time interval between two consecutive periods is 21-31 days, although this time period varies among females. The initial few periods among the girls who have recently attained menarche are irregular as the body uses the adequate time to set up the biological clock that would tick every month.

Why do you Menstruate?

Females  have  2 ovaries  on either  side  of the uterus. During menstrual cycle  2 hormones (progesterone and estrogen) are responsible  to make an egg mature  present in ovaries. When the egg is mature, that means the egg is ready to fertilize with the sperm cell. These 2 hormones (progesterone and estrogen) are also responsible  for making a thick layer of uterus. When egg gets fertilized  and zygote is produced  it gives a cushy base to the zygote  attached to the uterus  wall. 

The lining  of the uterus  is made up of tissues, blood, nutrients and other  substances  which are generally  present  inside the body. At the halfway of  menstrual  cycle  ovary release  it's  one mature egg this process is known as ovulation. Most girls don't  feel ovulation but in some  there is bloating, spotting and lower abdominal  pain before  some day of their period  due to ovulation.

After ovulation  egg is moving  in Fallopian tube (tube which attach ovary  and uterus)  and travelling  towards  uterus  here it stays for 24 hours  for fertilization with sperm cell. 

If fertilization  does not  take place the uterus  doesn't  need the  thick lining  of the uterus which results  in breakdown of the lining  and flow of blood, tissues, nutrients  out of the  body through  the vagina, hence  women  menstruate. This cycle  repeats every  month. But if fertilization  takes place and the zygote attaches  to the uterus  wall that time  thick uterus  lining is needed. That's why pregnant women can't  menstruate. At the age of 45-55 menstrual  cycle stops in women this period is known as menopause. 

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) :

PMS is the group  of symptoms which show before or during  the menstruation.

• Lower abdominal pain

• Lower back pain

• Food Cravings

• Mood swings and Irritability 

• Pelvic cramping pain

• Headache and fatigue     

These are very common for any menstruating women but severe conditions of any symptoms stated above should not be ignored as they may indicate underlying problems. 

 

What to use during this period? 

There are sanitary napkins, tampons and menstrual cups used to contain the menstrual blood, however the choice of  usage of available things depends on comfort of the female.

• Most girls use a sanitary pad for their first period. Sanitary Pads are of cotton and are available in different  sizes but it may cause  discomfort, wetness  or irritation. 

• Many girls  find tampons more convenient  as compare to pads specially  girls/women with sports  background. It is cotton plug which is inserted into vagina which soaks  the blood. Some are with applicator that guide  tampon to the site. But it needs to be changed after at least an 8-hour interval  otherwise  it can cause a serious infection known as Toxic Shock Syndrome. 

• Nowadays many have switched to menstrual cups which are made up of silicon, and are available  in 2 sizes depending  on need. It is inserted into the vagina. Menstrual cup holds the blood in it till it gets emptied. It is also reusable. 

When to consult with your  Doctor? :

• If you are 15 but still you haven’t gotten your period. 

• When there is severe PMS.

• Heavy bleeding. 

• Bleeding  between the intervals of the next period .

• Large gap period between consecutive periods.

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Anxiety: The Shackles of Mental Well-being

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, uneasiness. Occasional anxiety is part of life as we might feel anxious when faced with some problems or severe work load or in some stressful situations so it is normal to get anxious in some situations. Anxiety can be grouped from mild to severe type. Mild anxiety helps us to get more focused, it boosts our energy but if it gets severe it may end up in symptoms like nightmares, panic attacks, sweating, intense fear, phobia, depression. There are mainly three types into which anxiety can be classified, likely Generalized anxiety disorder(GAD), Panic attacks, Phobia-related disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) includes excessive anxiety or worry comes from personal health, work load, social interactions, financial problems which can last up to 6 months. Symptoms includes feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge, being easily fatigued, having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank, being irritable, having muscle tension, difficulty controlling feelings of worry, having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep.

Panic attack is a sudden feeling of extreme anxiety or intense fear without a clear cause or when there is no danger, people may experience: heart palpitations, a pounding heartbeat, or an accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking, feelings of impending doom, feelings of being out of control.

Phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation. People with a phobia may have an irrational or excessive worry about encountering the feared object or situation, take active steps to avoid the feared object or situation, experience immediate intense anxiety upon encountering the feared object or situation, endure unavoidable objects and situations with intense anxiety.

Treatment with psychotherapy, medication, self-help is generally done in anxiety. In psychotherapy, talk therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy can help. Medications include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, etc. Support groups, stress management techniques also can be done to overcome anxiety.

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