Probiotics and prebiotics: Nurturing a healthy gut ecosystem

Trillions of body microbes form a crucial microbiome. Imbalance from aggressors causes issues like IBS, acne, obesity, vaginosis, and yeast infections. Probiotics promote gut and vaginal health, by re-establishing the native microbiota of the body, we can remedy them. In this regard, probiotics and prebiotics can promote gut microbiota, influencing our overall health and well-being.

Our body lists trillions of microbes, which, though microscopic, play a key role in our overall health and well-being. They form a microbiome that often loses balance when overexposed to several aggressors, including antibiotics, alcohol, oily fatty food, spicy food, and even contaminated food or water.

Interestingly, even a brief change in location for a short business trip across cities can disrupt the gut microbiome’s balance.

Such imbalances is often linked to drastic changes in the composition of food, water, and spices consumed during the trip.

Microbial imbalances triggered by aggressors are not necessarily immediate, but the disturbances can become noticeable as irritable bowel syndrome, acne, gastric ulcers, obesity, vaginosis, and yeast infections. However, by re-establishing the native microbiota of the body, we can remedy them. In this regard, probiotics and prebiotics can promote gut microbiota, influencing our overall health and well-being.

 Exploring the scope of probiotics and prebiotics

Probiotics are live organisms consisting of good bacteria and some yeasts that can improve our well-being. Probiotics, found in fermented food such as buttermilk, yogurt, kombucha and kimchi, plays a crucial role in digestion, facilitating nutrient absorption, alleviating symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea and supporting immune function. Moreover, research states that probiotics may help manage concerns like indigestion, eczema, allergies and obesity.

Another major concern that probiotics help tackle is UTIs and related symptoms that bother most women who travel frequently for work or leisure. Dirty public toilets and even seemingly clean restrooms om hotels and restaurants are often infested with bacteria and viruses, which disturb the balance of the vaginal environment, causing UTIs. Probiotics promotes vaginal healthy by helping treat infections and providing relief from their symptoms. For instance, the vaginal microbiota, which mainly comprises Lactobacillus species, are vital in preventing infections and maintaining a balanced vaginal environment. Lactobacillus species, are vital in preventing infections and maintaining a balanced vaginal environment. Typically, by introducing probiotics that belong to the favourable vaginal microbiota, Lactobacillus strains, women can retain their natural balance and reverse conditions like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Besides food, individuals can take supplements to administer probiotics into their bodies. Today, one can get probiotics capsules featuring strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG,  L.Crispatus, L.Gasseri, L. Johnsonii, L. Acidophillus,  or L. Reuteri, to promote gut and vaginal health.

Alternatively, prebiotics are non-digestable fibers found in bananas, oats, onions, legumes, and whole grains. When consumed, the prebiotics present in the food pass through the upper gastrointestinal tract and stimulate the activity of good bacteria, facilitating a balanced microbiota.

 

The symbiotic connection between probiotics and prebiotics and their favourable impact.

A balanced combination of probiotics and prebiotics creates a symbiotic relationship that balances the gut microbiome, which helps in these ways-

A healthy gut ecosystem effectively facilitates smooth digestion and absorption of essential nutrients from consumed food. By aiding digestion, it relieves symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, especially diarrhea.

A balanced gut microbiota can also safeguard against harmful microorganisms and prevent the onset of overactions that rigger inflammation or autoimmune illnesses. By conditioning the body’s immune response, both prebiotics and probiotics strengthen the human immune system, making one less susceptible to rampant infections.

According to ongoing research, the gut environment can also impact one’s mood, overall behaviour, and cognitive function, making them crucial for mental well-being.

In addition, it can help address concerns like UTIs and provide relief from discomfort. This way, it safeguards the wellness of urinary and gut health.

The synergy between probiotics and prebiotics is key to nurturing a healthy gut ecosystem and supporting vaginal health. One can facilitate a harmonious balance by consciously adding food and dietary supplements rich in probiotics and prebiotics into the dietary regime. 

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Sepsis Will Kill More People as Compared to Deaths Caused by Heart Attacks and Cancer by 2050, Say Experts

Due to the irrational use of antibiotics, sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication. It can cause more death by 2050, says doctors and health experts.

Sepsis is a syndromic response to infection and is frequently a final common pathway to death from many infectious diseases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. 

A study published in the Lancet journal showed that in 2017 there were 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of all global deaths. 

The study also revealed that India has a higher death rate from sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction response to infections, than other South Asian countries except Afghanistan.

“Sepsis will kill more people than cancer or heart attack by 2050 — it is going to be the biggest killer. Also in developing countries like India, multi-drug resistance due to gross overuse of antibiotics is probably causing a higher mortality,” said Yatin Mehta, Chairman, Institute of Critical Care and Anaesthesiology, Medanta — The Medicity, Gurugram.

This is because sepsis can be caused by many common diseases such as dengue, malaria, UTIs or even diarrhoea.

Mehta was speaking at the recently held Sepsis Summit India 2021, organised by the health awareness institution — Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council.

Besides the use of antibiotics, the experts also noted the lack of awareness and early diagnosis. They called for increasing awareness and education regarding sepsis at the ground level.

“Despite advancement in medicine, tertiary care hospitals see 50-60 per cent patients getting sepsis and septic shock. Awareness, and early diagnosis are needed, and unnecessary antibiotic therapy should be avoided,” Mehta said.

“Sepsis has not been given the recognition it deserves and this is very much on the backburner from the policy point of view. We need to have Standard Operating Procedures and we need to flag sepsis cases in researches by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), continuing medical education (CME), and it should be taken up on priority by policymakers,” added Lov Verma, former Union Health Secretary of Health, Indian government.

While it is a leading cause of death in newborns and pregnant women, sepsis also affects older adults, patients in intensive care units, and people living with HIV/AIDS, liver cirrhosis, cancer, kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases.

It also played a major role in most of the deaths caused by dysregulated immune response during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the experts said.

“Unless we educate and aware the masses, sepsis will remain an enigma. Recently, the Paediatric Association of India has adopted a slogan called AAA — ‘Avoid Antibiotic Abuse’, as antibiotics are prescribed too much in India. Nearly 54 per cent of newborns in India die of sepsis which is worse than Africa. We need a three-pronged approach — primary prevention, secondary prevention and education and awareness,” said Kishore Kumar, Founder and Chairman, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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4 checks every woman must do post having sex

Things women must do after sex

Having a good sex life is a blessing and so is practising post-coital hygiene.
Yes, it might sound tempting to just stay in bed but practising certain preventive measures after having sex can save you from unsexy consequences. Studies say that bad post-sex hygiene can multiply the odds of developing sexually transmitted diseases, yeast infections and UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections). Hence, post-sex preventive care is vital. Not only will they keep your vagina and your libido healthy and happy, but it will also prevent infections at bay.
Here is a list of things all women must do after having sex:

Visit the washroom

Peeing after sex is a golden rule a woman must follow. Even if you don't feel the urge to relieve yourself, women must visit the washroom after sex. This is because certain micro bacteria and germs can stick to the urinary tract and cause a nasty infection, which nobody wants. Best treatment? Flush them out!

Wash your body

Taking a shower, or a gentle rinse post-coitus can wipe out bacteria or other fluids which can be harmful. The same way, one should also gargle their mouth with a good quality mouthwash or filtered water. Certain infectious germs can stick to the mouth during foreplay and have been found to cause STDs like gonorrhoea and chlamydia. If you use lubricants of any kind, consider wiping down there first before going for a good rinse.

Hydrate yourself

We don't need to stress this enough but keeping yourself hydrated is essential. Sex is a rigorous activity and you do tend to burn quite a few calories with this exercise. Drinking water can quench your thirst and take care of dehydration. Plus, it can be helpful in getting rid of the UTI causing germs as you pee.

Change your underwear

This is something many don't consider a part of good sex hygiene. Just as you would clean or change your sheets after sex, wearing fresh underwear should also be a part of your checklist. Bodily fluids can stick to your old underwear, stain them or make it more prone to developing bacteria, which can cause further harm. Some even suggest going commando, but you can do as you please. The important tip to remember is, keep your private parts dry and infection-free.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Surprising Reasons for Back Pain

We all suffer from back pain at some point in our lives. Those who love to visit the doctors, rush to the medics, who will at once check you and say, get some spinal x-rays done. I can tell you that being exposed too much radiation due to x-rays, is one of the reason for my thyroid cancer. Please, my friends,  we can say NO to x-ray, if we feel it is not necessary.

Not all back pains are due to spinal problems, many of them are related to some thing else. Even when is worried, your back pain will increase, as tension causes our nerves to stress. In case you feel, your back pain is due to tension, just take a couple of deep breaths, slowly breathe out, say OM, for a few seconds at least, I'm sure you'll start feeling a lot better. 

Tension is also one of the cause of cervical pain. Another reason may be wrong/ bad posture, either due to your work or otherwise.

There are other reasons for your back pain, when you analyse and try to correct those problems, voila ! your back pain will just disappear like magic !

1) Wearing too tight pant/ dress. Though tight pants have become fashion with both men and women, it is one of the leading cause of back pain.Tight clothes make us move awkwardly, leading to stress on spine and pelvis. It can make you slump when you sit, weakening your spine. Please don't ape the fashion, one must wear what is most comfortable, as tight clothes aren't healthy.

2) Insomnia-  sleep problems can also lead to back pain or make it worse. One study found you’re 1½ times more likely to get back pain if you have insomnia. (That means it's hard to get to sleep, or stay asleep.) Researchers aren't sure exactly why. But insomnia can make you more sensitive to pain. Stress might play a part, too. Try to form a routine, better sleeping habits, learn some relaxation techniques like 4-7-8 breathing exercise, breathe in for 4 counts, hold breath for 7 and exhale for 8 count. Surely this will calm you. Learn to meditate before going to bed. Drinking warm milk, eating banana and some melon seeds  also supposed to induce good sleep.
 
3) The Way You Walk- Often we don't realise how we walk, especially if one if flat footed, then the balance tends to shift. . Does your backache kick in when you stand up or start to walk? If so, check with a foot specialist to see if your tootsies might be to blame.
When I was having plantar fascitis in my left foot, was putting more pressure on my right side leading to back pain, as already I've spinal problem.

4) Scarred Nerves -After you have an injury or surgery around the nerves in your back, scar tissue grows. This thick, tough stuff helps the nerve heal. But when you move, the scar can tug on the sensitive area. Scarring also can also block blood supply to the nerve, causing back pain. Your doctor may treat scarred nerves with electric pulse therapy, which diverts pain signals. Or you might need surgery.

5)Video Gaming- Gamers tend to spend lots of time seated, with their heads tilted forward and their shoulders slumped. Poor posture and hours of sitting can lead to muscle strain and stiffness. One easy fix: Set a timer for 20- or 30-minute breaks to remind yourself to stand up and move around. And instead of slouching on the sofa, sit on a therapy ball.

6) Having a C-Section- One study found that women who gave birth by cesarean section with epidural anesthesia were more likely to have lower back pain later. Labor can put your body into strained positions. An epidural cancels pain, so you could lie for a long time in an awkward pose you can’t feel. This can damage your back and lead to pain. Also, you must limit activity for a while after a C-section. That can weaken your abs -- another cause of back pain. Actually, my first baby was born through C-section, after that when I had spinal pain, my orthopaedic said avoid epidural, go for GA in case you're going for other surgeries. But sadly, when I had my right knee replacement and varicose veins ablation, they said only spinal will be given. Already, I've had L4-L5 prolapsed disc surgery way back in 1988, since 1990, I developed problem in the next stage, my ortho said try to avoid, unless I can find a good surgeon who will do key-hole surgery for it. Have been grinning and bearing the pain, when I strain a lot, it does hurt, then I just lie down and meditate, I don't take pain killers.

7) Smoking- Smokers are almost 3 times more likely to get lower back pain. Tobacco slows the flow of blood to your tissues and bones. This can lead to a painful breakdown in the disks of your spine. Since smoking also slows healing, the ache may linger. Researchers also think nicotine makes pain feel worse. Ask your doctor about ways to quit smoking.

8) Your Height- Studies have found a link between height and back problems. One found that women at least 5 feet, 7 inches tall were 20% more likely to have lower back pain than shorter women. The risk also rose for tall men, especially those over 6-foot-1. Hormones, or the way a taller body moves, could be to blame. So could posture problems that happen when you often stoop to get into a car or lean over to talk to shorter folks. Don't bend to talk to shorties, let them look up at you !

9) Urinary Tract Infections- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when bacteria from your rectum or skin get into your urinary tract and infect it. Most are bladder infections. Kidney infections are more rare, but also more serious. They can cause lower back pain along with:     Fever, Chills , Nausea, .
Doctors use antibiotics to clear up UTIs, which are most common in women and girls. I can vouch for this, as my UTI wasn't properly treated, it spread to my kidneys, then my back was also hurting badly.

10) Flimsy Flip-Flops- Flip-flops , may look trendy, but not good for your back, for sure. As you shuffle along, your feet strike the ground flat, with little cushioning to absorb the impact. This not only changes your natural stride but can hurt your feet. The stress and pain can move up into your legs, hips, and lower back. Even casual summer sandals should protect and support your feet.


11) A Bulky Wallet- Now-a-days, our wallets are getting bulkier, as we've to carry credit and debut cards, then ID cards, driving license, then so many visiting cards of yours and others, money, all this makes your wallet bulge. Putting such bulging wallet in your pant pocket puts strain on your buttocks muscles. It affects sciatica, which can trigger low back pain. Try to keep minimum things in your wallet and preferably put it in front pocket, so no strain on your back.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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