Tuberculosis is a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease which primarily affects the lungs. It is highly contagious and can infect other people via the tiny water droplets released by an infected person while coughing or sneezing. Some strains of this disease have the potential to resist drugs, which are commonly used to cure tuberculosis.

Read more to find all about the different causes, symptoms, preventive measures and the treatment of tuberculosis:

Symptoms: Tuberculosis, also known as TB, can be both latent and active. In latent condition TB is not contagious and it does not harm the infected person. But latent TB can change to an active form so treating it in its latent condition is highly advisable. Active TB can be diagnosed due to the prevalence of certain symptoms such as a cough, which lasts for more than 3 weeks, coughing up of blood, unintentional weight loss, chills, chest pain, loss of appetite and fever. Tuberculosis mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect your kidneys, brain and spinal cord.
Causes: Tuberculosis in general is caused by infection. It spreads from person to person by ultra-small droplets, which an infected person releases while coughing or sneezing. Tuberculosis is highly contagious but it is not very easy to catch TB as the immune system of your body fights it off. Also if a patient of TB is under treatment, the person 's disease is no more contagious.
Risk factors: Potentially everyone can be infected with TB but certain factors increase the chances of infection such as a weakened immune system, living in or travelling to certain areas and substance abuse. TB can also cause complications such as spinal and joint damage, liver or kidney problems and heart disorders.
Treatment: Administering medical drugs is the most convenient way of treating TB. But TB is more persistent than normal bacterial infections and utmost care and caution must be taken to treat it. Completion of treatment is highly essential to fully cure TB. Some of the side effects of TB medication include loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dark urine and jaundice.

World Tuberculosis Day - Know More About It!

Chronic Diarrhoea is a condition that results in watery or loose stools. While most diarrhoea subsides within a few days time, the chronic ones persist up to a couple of weeks. Some common symptoms that can help to identify chronic diarrhoea include bloating, nausea, fever, blood in the stool, abdominal cramps etc. Here is a brief look at the possible causes of chronic diarrhoea:

What are the possible causes of chronic diarrhoea?
Parasites and bacteria: Parasites and bacteria are often transmitted from contaminated food and water. Certain parasites such as the cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia can lead to chronic diarrhoea. Some common bacteria include Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Salmonella. In the more developed countries, diarrhoea is often referred to as the traveller s syndrome. Diarrhoea can also result from a course of antibiotics due to an infection from Clostridium difficile.

Viruses: Some of the common viruses that can lead to chronic diarrhoea include viral hepatitis, Norwalk virus, and cytomegalovirus. A certain virus known as the Rotavirus can lead to an acute childhood diarrhoea.
Medication: Certain medication is known to be the culprit when it comes to causing diarrhoea. Antibiotics, for instance, tend to equally destroy both the good and the bad bacteria thereby disturbing the bacterial balance of the intestine leading to chronic diarrhoea. Certain other drugs related to cancer, antacids containing magnesium etc can also lead to chronic diarrhoea.
Artificial Sweeteners: Certain artificial sweeteners are known to be causing chronic diarrhoea. Compounds such as Mannitol, Fructose etc found in certain sugar-free products or chewing gum can lead to chronic diarrhoea in otherwise healthy people. It is, therefore, advised not to consume too many artificial sweeteners in excess at one go.
Intolerance of lactose: Lactose is a type of sugar that is mostly found in dairy products. People who find it difficult digesting this compound often tend to suffer from diarrhoea when they consume dairy products. Our body produces an enzyme to digest lactose. However, this enzyme tends to rapidly feds away from the body with age. Lesser the amount of this enzyme, greater is the chance of lactose intolerance leading to an increased risk of chronic diarrhoea.
Surgery: There are surgeries that can begin the onset of chronic diarrhoea. Certain procedures such as the gallbladder removal surgery and abdominal surgery run a high risk of chronic diarrhoea.
Fructose: For people who find it hard to digest fructose can suffer from chronic diarrhoea. Fructose is a naturally occurring sweetener found in honey, fruits etc and is often added to beverages to enhance the taste.
Certain digestive disorders: Certain other situations such as celiac disease, microscopic colitis, Crohn s disease, ulcerative colitis irritable bowel syndrome etc can lead to chronic diarrhoea. 

Chronic Diarrhoea - What Causes It?

Food poisoning happens when a person eats contaminated food that contains e-Coli and fungus. Food poisoning may lead to vomiting, nausea, and stomach ache. When the person recovers from the condition, doctors may suggest bland food for some time. It is necessary that patient eat simple food with lots of fluid to regulate their digestive system. Clear liquids will help you to rehydrate your body and gain strength for the recovery.

Best Food to Eat After Food Poisoning

When a person is recovering from food poisoning, it is suggested by the doctors that patients eat food items which are easy to digest and light on the stomach. The best food items to eat after food poisoning is:

  Banana

  Rice

  Apple sauce

  Toast

The four food items suggested above are bland in taste and high in starch. These food items are easy to digest and helps the upset stomach. It also helps in reducing the symptoms of diarrhoea. These are readily available and also works with kids. Since banana is high in potassium, it helps in the regulation of lost electrolytes. You can also introduce food items like yoghurt, bone broths, turkey, plain potato to gain strength after food poisoning.

Recovery From Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is life-threatening, and immediate doctors treatment is required. If you have consumed contaminated food in small quantity then there are chances that you will recover from food poisoning within 48 hours.

However, severe levels of food poisoning require hospitalization and an IV dose of medicines.

Food Items to Avoid After Food Poisoning

Food poisoning weakens your digestive system and pathogens in your body. So the foremost thing you should discard from your kitchen is the food that you suspect is the culprit of food poisoning. Also relax your stomach with clear liquids, juices, and soups. They are easy to drink and does not make you feel nauseated.

Avoid food items and drinks like:

  Alcohol

  Caffeine

  Spicy food items

  Dairy products like butter and cheese

  Sugar juices

  Junk food

  Processed food like eggs and meat are not suggested by the doctors since they are heavy to digest and may bloat your stomach. You must try green leafy vegetables in your diet and keep your food clean and bland. You must also avoid food that causes bloating and gas.

Who Are at Risk of Food Poisoning?

Mostly, kids, infants, and pregnant women are at risk of food poisoning. Kids and infants are prone to food poisoning and may suffer from severe conditions like botulism and diarrhoea. They can also come in contact with cold easily which may result in stomach illness. Pregnant women are also at serious risk of food poisoning. Eating contaminated food during this fragile condition can affect the child in the womb. Conclusion Food poisoning is an unpleasant condition and requires medical attention immediately. This situation may take a few days to recover completely. It is highly dangerous to kids and infants as compared to adults. The person recovering from food poisoning should not haste into a regular lifestyle and should start with a healthy diet for fast recovery. Bland food not only helps in digestion but also relieves the patient from diarrhoea and bloody stools.

Food Poisoning - Know Diet After It!

Staying up late at night intentionally is not insomnia. If you find it difficult to fall asleep, or cannot sleep soundly for long, then it is indeed a case of insomnia. The inability to sleep can have terrible repercussions on your physical and psychological health.

A number of reasons could cause insomnia. Understanding the causes could help you identify your sleeplessness as insomnia and seek treatment right away.

What Health Issues cause Insomnia?

Here are some health problems of both the mind and body that can keep you awake  

  Stress Chronic stress and worry born out of our tense lives is a direct cause of insomnia. Long-term anxiety, panic disorders, as well as PTSD can induce sleeplessness.

  Irregular Sleep Patterns Your body would hate it if you deviate from the Circadian Rhythm   the body clock. It regulates the functions of your body, including your sleep patterns. But if you defy your body clock by sleeping at irregular hours   suppose you are staying up late to get some extra work done, or you may have opted for a night shift, or if you are experiencing a jet lag   then you will notice that when it is finally time for you to hit the bed, sleep will be elusive.

  Depression Depression is a horrific psychological disorder that makes a person lose interest in life itself. And one of the indicators of depression is loss of sleep. It is not just depression, but also other illnesses that cause psychological turbulence such as bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders, triggering insomnia.

  Breathing Issues Sleep apnoea is a dangerous disorder that stops your breathing multiple times every night and will wake you up every time. Yet you will possibly not even remember waking up. However, this does disturb the quality of your sleep and affects your health adversely.

  Dementia Dementia is accompanied by a gradual loss of memory. But sometimes people who are suffering from dementia display anxiety, restlessness or even aggressive behaviour when it is time for them to go to bed. This is called the sundown syndrome and it might even keep them up all night.

  Pain Pain is one of the commonest reasons for losing sleep. Pain can originate due to any number of reasons   arthritis, a sprained joint, an injury, or if you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, then it may keep you awake at night. This is actually a vicious circle because the inability to sleep will aggravate your pain. Talk to your doctor who will prescribe the appropriate pain medication.

  Parkinson s disease This disease is another reason behind insomnia. Parkinson s disease interferes with your nerve signals and this might cause disruption in your sleep.

  Menopause When a woman inches closer to her menopause, her body reduces the production of oestrogen and progesterone. This imbalance of hormones can trigger sleep loss.

How long can you go without sleeping?

There is no data on how long a human can function without sleep. The longest someone stayed awake is 11 days. Usually, the body cannot last that long without some sound shut-eye. Your brain flushes out the waste matter its cells produce during sleep. That is why even 24 hours without sleep can make your brain sluggish and disoriented. If you stay awake for more than 48 hours at a stretch, your cognitive abilities will start failing you. Sleep is instrumental to a healthy mind and body. If you are experiencing insomnia, talk to a doctor immediately or look up some remedies.

Health Problems That Keep You Awake!

It's International Women s Day yet again. A time to celebrate women s accomplishments- both those of legendary creators including Mother Teresa, Kiran Bedi, Anuradha Koirala   the anti-sex-trafficking activist & Mary Kom to name a few and the women in our lives who mentor and inspire us every day. It s a day to celebrate our journey towards gender equality and women empowerment.

This year s International Women s Day theme is  Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women's lives.  It comes on the heels of unprecedented global movement for women s rights, equality, and justice. The theme has taken the global campaigns and marches on issues ranging from sexual harassment and femicide to equal pay and women s political representation.

Women still have a long way to go to attain equality and non-discrimination from her male counterparts. 2018 International Women s day is an 'iron in the fire opportunity' to bring a call to action to entrust women with what they actually deserve, not only in a particular sector but to every woman who resides in urban as well as rural areas. It is a step to respect and appreciate the women who step out every day for the livelihood of their families and kids - a step to stop casual sexism faced by urban women in the workplace.

Women, experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, not only bear strained relationships with their counterparts but also are at risk of numerous health problems. Let us know about the health effects of sexual harassment:

Depression: Self-doubt and criticism can lead to depression and loss of interest in work or other activities. Women also experience loss of self-confidence and feelings of failure & powerlessness.
Anxiety: Many women feel anxious about going to work, communicating with co-workers or being involved in social situations.
Insomnia: Sexual harassment trauma can cause nightmares and may lessen the woman's ability to sleep properly.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Studies say that sexual harassment meets the Criteria A1 and A2 of PTSD. The stress of sexual harassment may cause a woman to relive the trauma even when it is not happening, or avoid things or people that remind her of the sexual harassment.
The International Women s Day echoes a word for transforming the lives of women with a bold determination not just on papers but in reality to support the women all around the globe. Many working women have sad tales to tell as they are exploited at a very high level, and they actually lead a stressful life in comparison to their male counterparts.

So, the spotlight this year is to fight against the injustice that most women face every day and to bring about a change that will be remembered for years and will outshine the lives of such women who devote themselves for the livelihood of their families.

Join a campaign, embrace your inner activist and empower the women in your life...

The #TimeisNow To-

Raise your voice
Support each other
Share the workload
Get involved
Educate the next generation
Know your rights

#TimeIsNow - This International Women's Day, Empower The Woman In Your Life! 

Visual impairment is a decreased ability to see to a degree that causes disabilities or problems, not fixable by usual means, such as glasses. Loss of vision may be acquired and develop suddenly. It may affect one or both your eyes.

What Causes Loss of Vision/Disability?

Loss of vision and disability can result from the following  

Clouding of normally transparent eye structures

Abnormalities in the retina

Abnormalities in the nerves carrying visual signals to the brain from the eyes

Changes in vision may also occur due to conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. 

Can Psychological Rehabilitation Help Manage Visual Impairment?

Vision loss and disability often interfere with one s functional ability in everyday tasks. Sometimes, the disability may be so devastating that it affects a person s mental health and behaviour. Psychological Rehabilitation is designed to help such visually impaired people deal with disability or impairment. 

Psychological rehabilitation involves a wide range of methods that aims to restore functioning after loss of vision, just as physiotherapy restores functioning after an injury or stroke. The program allows patients to continue living independently and maintain their quality of life despite vision loss. 

Complete or partial loss of vision can jeopardize one s career   you may not be able to continue with your job due to the disability.  Many people suffer psychological and physical challenges, which force them to escape the outside world. Psychological rehabilitation helps in the following ways  

Helps individual understand and accept the disability, and find ways to cope with it

Motivates them in to keep trying

Cope with the pain and depression

Overcome feelings of fear or despair

Prevents the person from sinking into a state of self-pity, which may hinder recovery

Rehabilitation Psychology adopts a holistic and expansive approach to treat visual impairment. 




Loss of Vision & Disability - How Can Psychological Rehabilitation Help?

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