Introduction

Did you know that 77 million people have diabetes in India, which is expected to rise to over 134 million by 2045? 

Diabetes not only affects the pancreas but also affects mood and mental health too. One of the effects of having too high or too low blood glucose levels is mood swings.

It’s crucial to periodically assess your mental health since managing diabetes on a daily basis can occasionally feel burdensome and forgetful.

Understanding and adhering to your diabetes management plan is one method to control your mood.

Your blood sugar’s highs and lows, which can lead to mood swings, will be tempered by doing this.

If you are exhibiting signs of anxiety, despair, or burnout, you may need to speak with a mental health expert.

Your overall health is just as important to managing your mental health as it is to following your diabetes treatment plan.

Mood swings, stress, anxiety, anger and diabetes

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that every person has a different blood sugar goal range. Target ranges typically are:

• Before a meal, consume 80 to 130 milligrammes per deciliter (ml/dl)
• Several hours after eating, 180 ml/dl or lower
• Numbers within or outside of your intended range may be the cause of shifting emotions

If your blood sugar is high or low, you could notice that you feel weird and that returning it to the correct range immediately makes you feel better.

It’s crucial to check your blood sugar when you feel a specific way because you can see a pattern in your emotions whether it is low or high.

For instance, having low blood sugar levels might make you feel like:

• Confused 
• Nervous 
• Hungry 
• Irritable 
• Shaky 
• Jittery 
• Tired 
• Sweaty

You can experience the following symptoms if your blood sugar levels are high:

• Tense 
• Angry 
• Sad 
• Foggy 
• Fuzzy
• Thirsty 
• Tired
• Nervous 
• Lethargic

It’s critical to maintain the greatest level of blood glucose stability. Always carry a fast-acting supply of carbs with you if you use insulin or a sulfonylurea.

Feelings of being overburdened and diabetes burnout can result from the stress of receiving a diabetes diagnosis as well as the stress of treating diabetes over time. The following are a few causes of stress:

• You can experience poor physical health 
• You can be worried about the management strategy, which includes the daily schedule, lifestyle changes, and medications.
• Being treated for the rest of your life can be extremely overwhelming.

How to manage diabetes and anger?

There are several strategies to simplify managing your diabetes and lower your risk of developing mood swings, stress, depression, or another mental health disorder.

Try the following approaches to managing diabetes:

Maintain your diabetes treatment schedule

Your doctor’s recommended treatment regimen probably calls for regular blood glucose checks, medication, and lifestyle modifications. You should stick to the regimen.

Frequently check your blood sugar levels

Keep an eye out for high and low readings. Keep track of any unexpected readings so you can alert your doctor if necessary.

If your results are higher or lower than you would anticipate, try these blood sugar boosting or lowering techniques.

Automate your strategy

Set a timer on your phone to alert you when it’s time to take your prescriptions or check your blood sugar.

By doing so, you can maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent forgetting crucial elements of your strategy.

Make a food plan

If you have diabetes, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is crucial. Make a shopping list based on your favourite diabetic-friendly meals for the next week.

If it will be simpler to stick to your meal plan throughout the hectic week, prepare meals in advance.

Seek assistance

You could find that managing a new diabetes management plan on your own is too challenging, or you might discover that a situation in your life has made it harder for you to follow your plan.

Many strategies exist for getting back on track:

• Consult your doctor if you need help
• Search for a diabetic educator
• Enrol in a diabetes management course
• Locate a support group and go there
• Discuss diabetes with loved ones and friends so they can help you

Final thoughts

If you have diabetes, you could frequently experience stress, mood fluctuations, or even sadness. Maintain your management strategy and keep your blood sugar in a healthy range to lessen your risk of developing these mental health disorders.

Never be afraid to ask for support with your diabetes management or to talk about your mental health with family, friends, or mental health professionals.

Furthermore, you should also frequently opt for diabetes screening. This health check can provide you with a comprehensive insight into the state of your condition and overall health, allowing you to take necessary precautions to stay at the top of your health.

Introduction

The monsoon has arrived, and several Indian cities have flooded streets. The prevention of bacterial infections, which are typically spread by exposure to such contaminated water, requires taking certain factors into account and avoiding others.

Exposure to infected animal urine, such as that of infected rodents, cattle, or dogs, or by exposure to water polluted with that urine can cause a spike in a relatively rare bacterial infection called leptospirosis. 

The bacteria that cause this ailment are frequently transmitted from animals (like dogs, and rats) to humans while walking through waterlogged areas.

Open wounds, the eyes, or mucous membranes are some of the entry points for the bacteria into the body.

Leptospirosis symptoms in people

Leptospirosis can occasionally result in minor flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, it can occasionally also result in lethal consequences such as kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, pneumonia and even death.

The most common clinical presentations of leptospirosis include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Headache
• Muscle discomfort
• Skin rashes without itching 
• Loss of appetite
• Conjunctivitis 
• Sore throat and cough
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Red eyes
• Stomach pain 

In this blog, we will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of leptospirosis. We’ll also go through the best foods to keep you free of illness.

Helpful tips for avoiding leptospirosis

• Control pests, especially rodents
• Wash hands with soap and water after handling animals and animal products
• Avoid wading, swimming, or other contacts in fresh water, like rivers or streams, that might contain animal urine
• Avoid swimming in water bodies after heavy rainfall or flooding
• Treat unsafe water by boiling it first
• Keep rats and mice under control
• Wear protective clothing or shoes when handling contaminated water or soil
• If your work involves animals, ensure that you wear protective clothing or shoes
• Avoid touching dead animals with bare hands
• Clean all wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings
• Wear protective clothing at work
• Avoid contact with anything that has been in contact with flood water
• Avoid drinking water from rivers and lakes unless it has been boiled or chemically treated
• Ensure that your pet dog is appropriately vaccinated against leptospirosis

Rehydrate to maintain your health

Stay hydrated because dehydration can put pressure on your organs, some of which may experience jaundice in extreme circumstances.

You must therefore maintain both your body’s hydro-electrolytic balance and hydration levels. So, choose beverages made with a glucose and salt solution.

Make ginger a part of your diet

It is among the most efficient methods for treating leptospirosis. A study has revealed that ginger extracts reduce anti-inflammatory cytokines, which can prevent organ damage brought on by leptospirosis.

Ginger can be consumed by adding it to soup, dal, and other dishes or by sipping a cup of warm ginger tea.

Consume turmeric

Several studies have revealed promising therapeutic effects of curcumin in successfully combating leptospirosis.

Curcumin is found in turmeric and this bioactive compound is a powerful antioxidant that can help patients with leptospirosis.

Foods to be avoided

• Milk and milk products
• Beverages like tea and coffee
• Ice creams and Sweets
• Non-vegetarian food products
• Eggs
• Cashew nuts and almonds

Diagnosis of leptospirosis

Leptospirosis can be diagnosed on clinical grounds using the following methods:

• Blood tests. Your doctor might order blood tests to measure your complete blood count and your kidney and liver function, as well as to detect antibodies for leptospirosis.
• Microscopic agglutination test (MAT). This test is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing leptospirosis. The test checks your blood serum for leptospirosis antibodies.
• Lumbar puncture. A lumbar puncture to check the cerebral spinal fluid for signs of meningitis.

Final thoughts

Leptospirosis poses a major threat to life. Because of this, it’s crucial to take precautions against polluted water and diseased animals, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, or an older adult.

It is important to take adequate precautions to avoid this monsoon-related ailment. Making healthier eating choices to keep your immune system strong is the best way to avoid infections.

Get medical help if you have cuts on your body or you have come into contact with polluted water or soil, unvaccinated animal or farm animal urine, or both.

As an add-on, make a habit of taking preventive health checkups as they can help you in getting a complete insight into your health.

This will also help you with taking measures to promote your overall well-being.

Introduction

There are several advantages to keeping a healthy body weight, both for the timeline and quality of life. 

Unhealthy body weight is a burden, both physically and mentally, but it is something that may be prevented or reduced.

Aside from diabetes, it is commonly known that obesity may have adverse emotional effects on a person and their family. Here are 5 benefits of keeping a healthy weight.

Helps in releasing discomfort

Excessive weight makes many existing health issues worse, and the strain on joints from the weight can result in painful ailments, especially in the knees and feet. 

So, it seems obvious that decreasing weight often aids in pain relief for several conditions. One is less likely to be active when they are carrying additional weight. 

Many aches and pains brought on by inactivity might be lessened by losing even 5 to 10 per cent of your body weight.

The additional weight stresses the bones, muscles, and joints, making it difficult for them to move about normally. 

These body parts will be able to function more effectively and sustain less harm if they are not carrying as much weight.

Lowers the risk of diabetes

It is commonly known that overweight persons are more likely to acquire Type II diabetes.

Losing weight may help you better manage your Type II diabetes if you have been diagnosed with it. 

Being proactive and working toward a healthy body weight will reduce your odds of acquiring diabetes in the future. 

In certain circumstances, diabetes may be controlled by diet as determined by your doctor after decreasing weight, in addition to the other advantages of keeping a healthy body weight.

Prevents cancer

A good body weight helps in avoiding the risk of cancer.

Obesity and being overweight raise your risk of developing cancer. You might be startled to find that 13 different types of cancer are more likely to develop in people who are overweight or obese.

 Each year, these malignancies account for 40% of all cancer diagnoses. It can significantly lower the risk of getting some types of cancer. 

Obese women are more prone to develop cancers of the uterus, gallbladder, ovaries, breast, colon, and cervical regions.

By reducing their risk of getting prostate, colon, and rectal cancer, men can also add valuable years to their lives.

Keeps your heart healthy

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and sudden cardiac death and is brought on by increased body weight. 

A crucial factor in heart disease is high cholesterol, notably high triglycerides and low HDL (“good” cholesterol), which is also associated with increased body weight. 

Even while you are at rest, your heart needs to work harder the heavier you are. 

Even a tiny amount of weight reduction can improve the heart’s performance while increasing the quantity of blood flowing to essential organs. 

The risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, and angina are all decreased by maintaining a healthy body weight, which also relieves stress on the heart.

Prevents osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disorder that affects the body’s joints, and it can develop as a result of the extra strain that obesity puts on those joints.

Maintaining a healthy body weight makes it simple to stop this debilitating condition before it even begins. 

The joints of the body will carry less weight and sustain less injury over time when combined with a balanced diet and exercise.

The advantages of keeping a healthy body weight are numerous, and these are just a few of them.

Final thoughts

Achieving and keeping a healthy weight is crucial for overall health since it may help you avoid and manage a variety of illnesses and ailments. 

The physical effects can be seen in having greater energy, a healthier heart, a lower risk of Type II diabetes, and a reduced chance of developing osteoarthritis and some types of cancer.

You have an increased risk of significant health issues including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing issues, and some malignancies if you are overweight or obese. 

This is why it’s so crucial to keep a healthy weight as it makes you feel good about yourself, lowers your chance of acquiring health issues, and offers you more energy to enjoy life.

A person’s weight can be affected by a variety of circumstances. These variables include the environment, genetics and family history, metabolism (the process by which your body converts food and oxygen into energy), and behaviour or habits.

Genetic and environmental factors are also responsible to regulate body weight. 

Overall, the inheritability of obesity is estimated at 40% to 70%. You can also opt for genetic testing to get an insight into the level of your vulnerability to obesity or excess body weight. 

As an add-on, make a habit of taking preventive health checkups as they can help you in getting a complete insight into your health.

This will also help you with taking measures to promote your overall well-being.

Introduction

Influenza or flu is a viral disease that causes widespread illness every year.

It is a respiratory illness that results from a viral infection. The flu mostly affects your nose, throat, and lungs.

The flu is a seasonal infection that occurs most often during the winter and quickly spreads from person to person. Flu seasons vary in severity and duration from year to year.

People often confuse colds and flu. They are different, but you might have some of the same symptoms.

Most people get cold several times a year. On the contrary, people generally get the flu only once every few years

Through this article, we bring to you some insights into viral flu, including the symptoms, causes, and some commonly-asked FAQs.

Let’s begin with flu influenza

Flu or influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications (including pneumonia).

It causes a high fever, body aches, a cough, and other symptoms. 

It affects people of almost all ages.

The flu is usually spread by breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes that contain the virus.

Signs and symptoms of flu

Contracting the flu is even more likely if you have been in contact with someone who already has it.

The most common symptoms of the flu are:

• Sudden onset of fever, cough (usually dry)
• Headache
• Body aches (especially in the head, lower back and legs)
• Severe malaise (feeling unwell)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Chills
• Loss of appetite

Causes of flu

Flu mostly spreads through droplets in the air when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. It can spread from up to six feet away. 

You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

The flu is caused by an influenza virus. There are four seasonal influenza viruses, namely A, B, C and D, that are responsible for causing flu.

Influenza type A and B viruses

Influenza type A and B viruses are the only influenza viruses known to cause flu pandemics.

They often lead to more people needing to go to the hospital, and more people dying from the flu.

Influenza type C

This type of virus causes a very mild respiratory illness or no symptoms at all. It does not cause epidemics.

It does not have the severe public health impact that influenza types A and B do.

Influenza D viruses

It primarily affects cattle and is not known to infect or cause illness in people.

Prevention and treatment

Treatment of flu with antiviral drugs can reduce influenza symptoms, shorten the duration of illness by one to two days, and prevent serious complications, like pneumonia.  

The most effective way to prevent the disease is vaccination. Safe and effective vaccines are available and have been used for more than 60 years. 

Immunisation and practising prevention measures for people who are at risk of complications from the flu are the best ways we can reduce the number of influenza infections and deaths.

Immunity from vaccination wanes over time so annual vaccination is recommended to protect against influenza.

Among healthy adults, the influenza vaccine provides protection. However, among the elderly, influenza vaccination may be less effective in preventing illness but reduces the severity of disease and incidence of complications and deaths.

People who work or live with people who are at risk of serious complications should also be immunised to avoid spreading the flu.

World Health Organization (WHO) recommends annual vaccination for:

• Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
• Children aged between 6 months to 5 years
• Elderly individuals (aged more than 65 years)
• Individuals with chronic medical conditions
• Health-care workers

Frequently asked questions

Q1. What is influenza (also called flu)?

Ans: The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.

It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Q2. Can I receive the flu vaccine and covid-19 vaccine on the same day?

Ans: You can receive your flu vaccine and your COVID-19 vaccine on the same day, one after the other if convenient. There is no time interval required between these vaccines.

Q3. How does Flu viral spread?

Ans: Most people get the flu viral when they breathe in tiny airborne droplets from the coughs or sneezes of someone who has the flu, skin-to-skin contact (handshakes or hugs), etc.

You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Q4. How can we prevent getting flu virals?

Ans: Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing getting flu. Injected inactivated influenza vaccines are most commonly used throughout the world.

Flu immunisation is recommended for everyone from 6 months of age who want to protect themselves from the flu and its complications.

Q5. How can I avoid giving influenza (flu) to other people?

Ans: Aside from getting your flu shot, follow these 3 simple steps to stop the spread of the flu—

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap.
• Rest and recover at home.

Q6. Should viral patients isolate?

Ans: Yes, viral patients should get isolated for at least 5-6 days after the onset of symptoms. This virus is contagious and can be spread from one sick person to another. So, in order to avoid spreading viral try to stay at home or isolate yourself.

Q7. What flu cases rise in monsoon seasons?

Ans: The sudden change in temperatures during the monsoon season can increase your risk of common cold, cough and other viral infections like the flu. 

Proper care and isolation can help lower the spike in flu cases during monsoon.

Q8. When should I get vaccinated?

Ans: The typical flu season can fall anywhere between October and May, and usually peaks sometime between January and March.

Because the timing of the flu season can be unpredictable, health care providers are encouraged to begin vaccinating as soon as the seasonal vaccine is available.

Ideally, vaccination should take place by the end of October. However, it is never too late to get vaccinated. As long as flu is circulating, vaccination is recommended.

Final thoughts

While preventive steps against the flu are highly recommended, still opting for periodic health checkups is a great way to stay on top of your overall well-being, and address any concerns that might pop up, before things get out of hand.

Controlling the spread of the tomato flu is the goal of preventative interventions. 

Following are some simple techniques to stop the spread of the disease:

• Hygienic conditions and proper sanitation should be prioritised.
• While tomato flu seldom results in death, medical intervention is still necessary.
• In the event of an infection, isolation is essential.
• Children who are infected should avoid any social contact.
• It is best not to scratch rashes and blisters.
• Warm baths or showers should be given to children who are ill.
• Give a balanced diet and adequate rest for quick recovery.

Final thoughts

A person is determined to have tomato virus when molecular and serological testing rule out the possibility of viral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes.

Tomato flu is extremely infectious, much like other influenza strains, thus it is crucial to take all possible measures, particularly in terms of cleanliness and sanitization.

The tomato flu is a self-limiting illness, meaning it goes away on its own, whether or not a specific therapy is used.

There isn’t yet a specific medicine that can treat it. The therapy is identical to that for dengue, hand, foot, and mouth illness, chikungunya, and related symptoms. 

It involves seclusion, relaxation, drinking a lot of fluids, and using a hot water sponge to soothe inflammation and rashes.

Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checks give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep a host of ailments at bay.

Indian scientists and medical professionals are working nonstop to find a treatment for the recently discovered tomato flu.

A viral illness known as tomato flu or tomato fever has been noted in India since May 2022. 

In the Kollam district of Kerala, the first incidence of the illness was reported. And as of now, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha have each detected about 90 instances.

Children under 5 have been commonly affected by this uncommon sickness known as tomato flu. 

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine states that there are no particular medications to treat tomato flu, which is infectious and self-limiting.

The virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease can have a new variation, but it is not fatal.

What is tomato flu

A rare viral illness called “tomato flu” is currently on the rise in India. A unique case of hand, mouth, and foot illness, this sickness is characterised by the appearance of painful blisters that are red and can grow to the size of tomatoes. 

Intestinal viruses are responsible for this unusual illness. Due to adults’ typically stronger immune systems and metabolisms, children between the ages of 1 to 9 are more susceptible to tomato flu or tomato fever.

Symptoms of tomato flu

Medical professionals think that children’s dengue or chikungunya fever may evolve into tomato flu. According to accounts, the initial signs of tomato flu are the same as those of any other viral infection. such as:

• An abrupt rise in body temperature
• Terrible body aches
• Redness or rashes on the skin that itch constantly
• Stinging blisters
• Fatigue and lightheadedness

Other symptoms of tomato flu include severe mouth sores, rashes and itching on the hands, feet, and buttocks, swelling in the joints, nausea, and dehydration. 

Due to similar symptoms, the tomato flu is sometimes mistaken for a coronavirus, although specialists have shown that this virus is unrelated to SARS-CoV-2.

Treatment for tomato flu

According to reports, tomato flu or fever is a self-limiting illness, meaning that it often resolves on its own, without the need for treatment. 

As a result, there are no particular medications on the market that may be used to treat or cure the illness.

It is suggested to keep patients with the uncommon disease isolated since it is quickly transmitted from one person to another and is easily contagious.

Comparable to chikungunya or dengue, the main course of therapy for a patient with tomato flu or tomato fever is similar.

Patients are given a balanced meal and a lot of drinks to help them stay hydrated. Common medications like paracetamol or aspirin are recommended to reduce body temperature and relieve body aches.

It is recommended to exercise and focus on personal hygiene, including using a wet sponge to remove rashes and avoid scratching blisters or rashes.

Click here to know how to prevent it.