Health-&-Fitness
Ramadan Fasting Benefits: Impacts on health when you fast for 16 hours
Ramadan fasting involves abstention from eating, drinking, and other forbidden tasks before sunrise to after sunset. It is obligatory for all Muslims from the age of puberty. You can engage in all these acts after breaking your fasting and restart fasting the next dawn. You need to follow this cycle for a whole month. If planned well, it has long-lasting health benefits. Continue reading to know what happens to your body when you fast for 14 to 16 hours.
What happens to your body when you fast for 14 to 16 hours?
Speeds Up The Metabolism
Fasting assists to energise your metabolism by giving your digestive system a rest because it burns through the calories more efficiently. When your digestion is poor, this can affect your ability to metabolise food and burn fat. Fasting regulates your digestion promoting healthy bowel function. In this way, fasting improves your metabolic function.
Read Ramadan Iftar Ideas: Healthy foods, drinks to break your fast
Weight loss
Fasting works like magic to lose weight. It can help both obese and non-obese people to lose weight. The connection to fasting is that when you fast, less energy is coming in than going out. That’s why you lose weight. When you are fasting you burn more calories than you take. As a result, you lose fat and improve body composition just by splitting those calories into two meals rather than three.
Improves Hunger
When you don’t take any food for 14 to 16 hours, you experience real hunger. Fasting helps to regulate the hormones in your body so that you experience what true hunger is. Therefore, take fasting as a reset button. The longer you fast, the more your body can regulate itself to release the correct hormones.
Also Read: Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
Develops Your Eating Patterns
Fasting is a helpful practice for people who suffer from binge eating disorders. The month-long fasting is also helpful for those who find it difficult to establish a correct eating pattern due to work and other priorities. When you are fasting all afternoon without a meal, it can allow you to eat at a set time and helps you to set your lifestyle.
Ketosis
Your hormone insulin of course stays low with your break from eating. Consequently, low insulin helps you burn body fat and make ketones. The fat-burning system is called ketosis which may have the following health benefits:
- More stable energy
- Reduced cravings
- Better appetite control
- Enhanced mental acuity
- Increased “good” HDL cholesterol
- Lower blood sugar and insulin levels
- Lower blood pressure
- Improvements to metabolic syndrome
Read Healthy Sehri Ideas: What to eat and avoid for Sehri during Ramadan
Lower blood sugar
If a person consumes carbs constantly —their blood sugar stays chronically elevated. This is known as hyperglycemia and is defined as a clinical feature of type 2 diabetes. This causes huge complications, including heart disease. In this situation, fasting may be part of the solution. Studies have shown that fasting lowered average blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Promotes Longevity
The younger your body is, the faster and more systematic your metabolism will be. But none of us are getting younger anymore. Therefore, we have to be careful about the process of ageing and relative health issues.
You need to remember that the primary effect of ageing is a slower metabolism. Naturally, when you eat less, the less toll it takes on your digestive system. There is a saying- the less you eat the longer you will live. If you believe it, surely it is for you.
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Improves Your Immune System
Fasting contributes to improving your immune system by reducing free radical damage, regulating inflammatory conditions in the body, and starving cancer cell formation.
Science has already proved that fasting has a direct connection with Autophagy. The term Autophagy refers to a natural process in which the cells of a human body can clean out the damaged, dysfunctional, or unnecessary components. Autophagy strengthens the immune system of human health.
Contributes To Self-Enlightenment
Fasting surely helps you to connect to life because you can get enough time and energy during fasting to practise reading, meditation, and yoga. The digestive system is one of the most energy-absorbing systems in the body. When you have no food in the digestive system, you get more energy in the body.
Besides, fasting creates self-enlightenment in you by helping you feel better both consciously and physically. When your body is light and your mind is clear, you become more aware and grateful for the things around you.
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Clear The Skin And Prevent Acne
Fasting can help clear the skin as your body is temporarily freed from digestion. Thus, it’s able to focus its regenerative energies on other systems. Not eating anything for a long time helps the body to clean up the toxins and regulate the functioning of other organs of the body such as the liver, kidneys, and other parts.
Brain health
During fasting, your body burns fat and thus fuels your brain. Naturally, your brain runs entirely on glucose. But when you are fasting, it elevates ketone levels leading to better performance in a variety of mental tasks. It is natural that the ageing brain doesn’t lose its ability to use ketones.
Promotes good sleep
Research has shown that fasting may assist to enhance our body's sleep-wake cycle. Generally, overeating can induce disturbed sleep. During fasting, you eat less, allowing you to sleep better.
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Reduces stress
Fasting reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels and inflammation.
Besides this, fasting allows you to understand how it feels to starve for long hours. Thus, you can be grateful for the food you have. It also makes you sympathetic to those who can’t afford food everyday and encourages you to help those people which in turn gives mental peace. Therefore, fasting is beneficial for your mental health.
Heart health
Fasting is beneficial to your heart health also. It not only reduces body weight but has also been shown to improve other influential factors of heart health.
Fasting reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in some of the most rigorous studies leaving positive impacts for heart health. Fasting also improves multiple cardiovascular risk markers.
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More productive time
Of course, fasting gives you more productive time as you have to invest less time in meal preparations, eating, and cleanup. Besides, ketosis provides a steady energy source for your brain in the form of ketones without having to deal with rapid blood sugar fluctuations, which can enhance sustained concentration.
Bottom Line
So far, we have discussed the health benefits of fasting in Ramadan. No doubt, fasting is a very popular weight-loss method. It serves as a reset system of the digestive system of a human body. Fasting promotes autophagy which is good for the human immune system. Furthermore, fasting leaves positive impacts on the heart and brain.
Besides, realisation of hunger during fasting makes you a grateful, kind and sympathetic person. Fasting helps you to feel satisfaction with your current achievements or possessions. On the whole, Ramadan fasting helps you live a longer, healthier and peaceful life.
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Microplastic in Human Blood: Health Risks and Dangers
For many years researchers were looking for the answer to how dangerous microplastics are for health and the environment? The recent discovery of microplastic in human blood unlocked some answers. Imagine for a second that numerous tiny plastic particles are floating in your blood and those particles are reaching every part of your body. Laboratory tests have shown that microplastics are capable of causing severe damage to human cells. Here is what we know about the health risks and dangers of microplastic in the human body.
What is Microplastic?
Microplastics refer to pieces of plastic that are less than 5 mm in size. These are manufactured in ways that don't require high temperatures or harsh chemicals. They can be found in everything from cosmetics to clothes to food.
Microplastics have become a global concern as they are ingested by marine animals, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and end up in people's bodies. They also threaten human health via their potential to cause cancer and other serious illnesses. However, scientists are still trying to figure out how to manage them.
Read Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
Microplastics can enter the environment through wastewater treatment plants, rivers, and oceans. They can also be released when microbeads are washed down the drain. The tiny pieces of plastic can contaminate water sources and wildlife. Studies have found that microplastics are present in greater numbers in aquatic environments than previously thought.
How did Researchers find Microplastic in Human Blood?
A team of researchers from Vrije University in the Netherlands recently discovered the presence of microplastics in the human body. Scientists have tested blood samples from 22 adults. And they claim that they have found microplastics in the blood of 17 of the 22 people. These microplastics were found in the blood of about 80% of the people tested. However, the scientists also said that none of those people were sick. The study was recently published in the International Journal of Environment.
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Among the 22 samples, half of them contained PET plastic, which is used to make drinks bottles. Besides, one-third of the sample contained polystyrene, which is commonly used in food packaging and other products. And 25% of the samples have polyethylene, the common element of plastic carrier bags.
In developing detection systems for microplastics, mathematicians adapted existing practices of analyzing and detecting particles of 0.0007 millimeters or smaller. Most of the blood samples examined contained at least two kinds of plastic. To prevent contamination, they used steel syringe needles and glass tubes. Tests were carried out using blank samples to confirm the background levels of microplastics.
To have a clear look at the primary findings, the scientists will broaden the sample size in the next research.
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How can Microplastic Enter Human Blood?
In this regard, scientists claim that all day long, people at home or elsewhere, knowingly or unknowingly, use plastic materials for their daily needs. Mainly from those large plastic materials, relatively small components, for example, microplastics, get mixed in human blood.
However, scientists have claimed that it is nearly impossible to separate those particles from the human body.
What are the Health Risks and Dangers of the existence of Microplastic in Human Blood?
Sometimes from the environment and sometimes from the plastic material used for everyday needs enters plastic in the human body. Scientists have claimed that there is no decay in them. The researchers said that this could lead to a serious problem in the human body. Following are some of the critical health risks associated with microplastic.
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Studies have shown that microplastics can cause cancer. If ingested or inhaled, it may create cancer in the human body as it contains various toxic chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), BPA (bisphenol A), phthalates, lead compounds, etc. The chemicals that plastics release when they are broken down have been linked with cancer growth. The fibers from microplastics have also been connected with respiratory problems, especially in children.
The effect of microplastic depends on the specific plastic element. For example, Bromine can lead to apoptosis and genotoxicity. Genotoxicity is a term used to describe the potential for chemicals or other agents to cause damage to DNA. Genotoxic agents can cause mutations in cells, leading to cancer and other diseases.
Cadmium can change calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism. Calcium metabolism is affected by estrogen levels, phosphorus metabolism is affected by the acid-base balance, and bone mineralization is affected by the level of estrogen and other hormones.
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If the microplastic has copper, it can lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which also includes DNA strand breaks as well as oxidation.
Mercury can cause mutagen or carcinogens. Bedsides and affected humans can face induction of the disruption of DNA molecular structure, which may lead to brain damage.
Tin can create metal–estrogen, skin rashes, breast cancer, stomach complaints, vomiting, headache and palpitations, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and potential clastogen.
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Lead in the blood may cause anemia, hypertension, disruption of nervous Systems, miscarriages, oxidative stress, brain damage, infertility, and cell damage.
Final Words
A tiny plastic particle known as microplastic has been discovered in human blood recently. Through the blood, plastic particles can spread throughout the body and accumulate in any part of the body.
Various research results show how detrimentally plastic pollution has spread across the world. You will not be able to find anywhere there are no plastics, not even on Mount Everest or at the bottom of the ocean.
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In conclusion, while more research is needed to determine the full extent of the health risks posed by microplastic in the human body, there is enough evidence to suggest that we should take steps to avoid exposing ourselves to these particles as much as possible. Some simple ways to do this include avoiding products that contain microbeads, reducing consumption of seafood, and properly disposing of waste.
Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
The holy month of Ramadan is about to come within just a few days. In the month of Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Are you really ready for Ramadan? As Ramadan comes after a long 11 months and you need to continue fasting constantly for 30 days, it is surely important to prepare your body for fasting at first. If you are still confused about how to make your body ready for Ramadan fasting, just continue scrolling to get your probable solution.
Why is it necessary to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
Fasting is an essential religious practice in many religions. It affirms the purifying of one's body and mind. Many also use it as a means of weight loss although there is no available evidence showing its effectiveness. However, if you don’t carry it out the correct and safe way, it can be deleterious to your health. So, to avoid any negative side effects, you should plan for your fast in advance.
Besides, you need to make sure you modify your daily habits and make changes to your diet ahead of time. Most probably, these preparations will make the fast a safer and more pleasant experience for you.
Read Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
10 Fruitful Ways to Prepare Your Body for Ramadan Fasting
Surely the upcoming holy month of Ramadan may be difficult for some people. It requires us to be well-prepared and ready to refrain from food and drink consumption during the daytime. Every day we need to fast for about 15 hours which demands us to be strong not only physically but mentally also. However, to be strong and stout enough you must prepare yourself to adapt yourself to all the challenges that come along with fasting during Ramadan.
Along with focusing on the quantity of food intake, you also have to focus on what you eat, how you eat, and how you sleep. These 10 fruitful top tips will help you get through Ramadan before you know it:
Food consumption
As Ramadan is approaching, you need to be habituated to taking moderate quantities of food. So, do not spend lavishly on food. If you don’t take control of yourself regarding food, you cannot control yourself during Ramadan also. Besides, taking more food before Ramadan will increase your appetite and make it more difficult to fast.
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Reduce salt and sugar intake
It is fundamental to reduce your salt and sugar intake regularly before Ramadan. For this, first, identify the foods that contain high levels of salt and sugar that you regularly eat.
It won’t be possible to reduce a lot at first but try to decrease by 1 tablespoon of salt and sugar every day. If you decrease in this way, your body may not notice the decrease, and this is the only way you will get used to it.
Thus, you will be able to minimize your longing for food and drinks that are high in salt and sugar which would be beneficial for you during Ramadan and the course of your life as well.
Read: Grocery Shopping Hacks: Proven tips to choose best foods at grocery stores
Eat healthy foods before fasting
When you are near the date of fasting, try to skip processed foods. Instead of taking processed foods, you need to take whole foods and make sure you avoid sugary foods. If you eat foods high in sugar, it can cause your blood sugar to hit and will increase your appetite. So, you can take fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods will assist you to keep your appetite stable and make it easier for you to begin your fast.
Drink enough water
Remember you need to drink plenty of water before you begin your fast. Taking enough water is necessary to maintain your health, and it can also help restrain your appetite as well. Research has shown that a man should drink about 13 cups or 3 liters and a woman should drink 9 cups or 2.2 liters a day. Drinking enough water also helps you suppress your cravings and ease into your fast.
Read A look at the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan
Early breakfast
As you have to wake up early for Suhoor to take the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan, it would be better for you if you habituate it earlier. So, if you start taking an early breakfast now, it will help your body get used to the earlier hours.
Stop snacking
It is very important to stop your snacking habit before you are going to start fasting for a long time like during the month of Ramadan. Just take 3 meals a day; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This habit before starting fasting will discipline your stomach to accept food consumption at fixed mealtimes. Remember, during Ramadan, you can only have your main meals two times a day; during Suhoor and Iftar.
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Lower your caffeine intake
Make sure you reduce your caffeine intake before Ramadan. Caffeine is habit-forming and if you cannot decrease your caffeine input before Ramadan, you won’t be able to prevent your body from experiencing acute caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are dangerous that can cause irritability, anger, impatience, restlessness, and concentration problems. They will ultimately affect your daily tasks and wellbeing.
Reduce smoking
Like caffeine intake, smoking is also habit-forming and it is not easy to give up easily. If you give it up suddenly, you can experience various withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anger, restlessness, impatience, and difficulty concentrating during fasting hours. So, make sure you minimize this fatal habit before Ramadan.
Read Covid vaccine can be taken during Ramadan fasting: Islamic Foundation
Regulate sleep
Follow your own stepping pattern that you are used to and try to do it constantly. It is necessary for every person to take at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night to become healthy. Required hours of sleeping help to equip with enough energy for the day and decrease the risk of chronic problems like heart disease and stroke.
Refer to your doctor
It is wise to consult with your doctor about whether you are good to go for fasting. You need to do so and follow your doctor’s instructions of course if you have health concerns like diabetes, gastric complications, high blood pressure.
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Discomfort Anxiety v Depression: Differences, Ways of Prevention
While anxiety is often regarded to be a high-energy condition, depression is supposed to be a low-energy state. Discomfort anxiety and depression are more connected than most people realize. Individuals who have anxious distress in addition to depression may be at an increased risk of suicide or need more intense therapy, making it critical to recognize these symptoms in addition to the sadness. Above all, it is critical to remember to refer a patient to a doctor or mental health expert to see if his or her symptoms match the criteria for a depressive or anxiety illness.
What is Discomfort Anxiety?
Each human being is affected by this bad energy, which is continually whimpering within our heads and preventing us from living a successful, responsible life. Anxiety about discomfort is not even near to depression. It is just a bee buzzing around within our heads, seeking immediate satisfaction in order to prevent delayed gratification. Refusing immediate reward from alleviating our pain worry does not imply that we are denying ourselves pleasure.
We must manage our priorities while also being far-sighted about what will genuinely make us successful in the long term. Being successful is not a certain outcome; rather, it is a way of life that promotes satisfaction.
Read Suicide Prevention: How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts?
How to Prevent Discomfort Anxiety
Confronting Every Fear
You cannot overcome the dread of doing something by refusing to do it. Oftentimes, those who struggle to get out of their comfort zone do not acquire communication skills. They are always attempting to avoid awkward, uncomfortable contact with strangers.
Turning down significant possibilities only due to your concern has immobilized every good energy inside you. Therefore, it is critical that you push yourself to the limit and face your concerns.
Keeping Persistent Attitude
Man can’t conquer his phobias in a single day or with a single try. You should bear in mind that little droplets of water that continue to fall create a hole in the rock. Join a small circle to explore your creativity, become involved in groups, work with teams, and eventually lead any team. Eliminate each of your unresponsiveness.
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Nail-biting in Children, Teenagers: Causes, Dangers, Ways of Prevention
Nail-biting is a common issue in school-age children and teens. It is generally very common at puberty. It is annoying as well as problematic for their health. When children feel more stressed, it may happen. But like other habits such as thumb sucking, teeth grinding, hair twisting, and nose picking, it usually goes away on its own with time. But what if it doesn’t? Check out here some proven ways to help children to stop biting their nails.
What is Nail-biting?
Nail-biting, known as ‘onychophagia’ is a general stress-relieving habit. Children may bite their nails in times of stress or excitement, or in times of boredom or inactivity. Sometimes, they learn this behavior from family members. But they may bite their nails without realizing that they are doing it. Biting the cuticle and soft tissue surrounding the nail as well as biting the nail itself usually includes nail-biting.
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Common Causes of Nail Biting in Children
Research has shown that about 30% to 60% of kids and teens bite their nails. Various reasons are responsible for nail-biting in children like anxiety, stress, boredom, and comfort. Common reasons include:
For Comfort
Actually, nail-biting is a modified form of thumb-sucking that little kids feel comfortable doing when they are playing or being on their own. Like them, children and teenagers bite their nails as it feels comforting to them.
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Boredom
Kids prefer to bite their nails if they feel bored or doing something monotonous. Children and teenagers may do it when they are not involved in an activity and their hands are free; during watching TV or attending a class.
To Relieve Anxiety and Stress
Circumstances at home or school that can cause stress or anxiety provoke nail-biting in teenagers and children. The stressful situations that can cause them to get anxious include Quarrels between family members or parents; Deprivation of a family member or a close one; Divorce; Relocating to a new city or home; Joining a new school; Getting bullied by other kids; Punishment; and The pressure to do better in class or sports.
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Imitating Habits of Others
Children pick up the behaviors of others quickly. Nail-biting is one such behavior that is common, and when they see another sibling or a family member doing it, they imitate the habit.
Genetics
It can be a genetic habit also. This habit develops among those children who experience it in the family, especially in parents.
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Dangers and Health Risks of Nail Biting Habit
If this habit simply wears itself out and disappears, there is nothing serious to worry about. But, sometimes it creates dangerous health risks for your child. It could negatively affect your child’s social relationships or interfere with their daily functioning. You will notice that sometimes your child complains that other children are teasing them about their bitten nails.
The noticeable health risk is that it can lead to painful ingrown nails or nail infections caused by bacteria that have entered the damaged skin around the nail.
Not common but chronic nail biters usually, adolescents can damage their nail beds and teeth. This is known as onychophagia. Severe nail-biting is an indication of anxiety.
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Proven Ways to Stop Nail Biting in Children
A sturdy dose of self-control is necessary to stop any habit. But in the case of a child who bites their nails, you need to increase self-control — yours plus theirs. Here are proven strategies to help:
Pacify Anxiety
If you feel your child bites his nails more when he or she is stressed or anxious, take time to talk to him. Children as well as teenagers are generally anxious about matters like changing schools, moving to a different place, or conflicts within the family. Make sure you talk with him when he is in the right mood.
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Cut nails short
Your toddler can not bite nails if they are not there. So keep their nails well-trimmed. This also saves your kid from bacteria and dirt that are caught under the nails. In the same way, you can educate your teenage son or daughter about the health risks of nail-biting and encourage them to keep their nails short.
Create a code
It would not be easy to stop your kid from nail-biting by telling him always. But you can choose a secret code to use to remind them to stop. That may be a specific word that you say, a touch on the shoulder, or a whistle.
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Offer an Alternative
An alternative something can release their anxiety and fidgeting. In this case, you can use a stress ball which is great for releasing anxiety. When children squeeze and roll it in their hands. They can feel relaxed.
Considering the age of your children, you can make them busy with various activities and projects. For children, arts and crafts can be the best option that stimulates their imagination to relieve their stress. Besides, outdoor activities, playtime, and sports are also some of the best ways to release pent-up energy for teenagers.
Make Them Aware of the Habit
Nail-biting is an unconscious habit. Children do not know that they are doing it and hence get surprised when you yell at them to stop. So, you need to talk to the child about the bad sides of nail-bating and suggest ways to make them stop it.
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Use a reward system
Children like rewards. So make sure you offer a small prize or reward for each day they don’t bite their nails. At the end of the week, of course, they get to choose a prize instead of nail-biting.
Engage them with busting activities
Engaging them with some creative activities like coloring books, blank drawing pads, pretend play, pillow forts, relieving them from nail-biting. Moreover, you can also distract your child from the habit by taking them to the park, working on a puzzle together, or cooking or baking together.
The Bitter Taste Trick
You will find child-safe liquids available in medical stores that are made to quit the nail-biting habit in children. You could apply one of those to their nails according to the recommendation of your child’s pediatrician. The bitter taste of those liquids may stop this habit.
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Long COVID hits children far less than adults: study
Children are much less at risk of complications from COVID-19 than adults, a leading British health expert said Monday.
Shamez Ladhani, a consultant paediatrician at the UK Health Security Agency, said new data published Monday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) should be reassuring for parents, clinicians and policy makers.
Ladhani, also chief investigator of the ONS study, said, "it is reassuring that the vast majority of primary and secondary school aged children surveyed since March 2020 have not experienced long COVID symptoms."
He said that as the findings show that children are much less at risk of complications from COVID-19 than adults, keeping children in school, where mental health support is available, remains vital.
Read: Bangladesh ranks first in South Asia in tackling Covid-19 pandemic: Health Minister
"This data provides important information about the potential direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on children and young people," said Patrick Nguipdop Djomo, co-chief investigator of the study at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
The study was jointly led by ONS, the LSHTM, and UK Health Security Agency.
Organ Donation by Living Donor: Which organs can be donated while alive?
If an ill person gets an organ donation, the effect of the donor's contribution will continue to benefit the recipient for the rest of his or her life. According to statistics, a new name is added to the list of people awaiting an organ transplant in the world every ten minutes. The list includes newborns, toddlers, teenagers, parents, and grandparents who all need an extraordinary gift to survive. And unfortunately, twenty or more individuals die each day without obtaining a lifesaving transplant. So, the need for a living organ donor is gradually rising. The good news is, with modern medical science, a person can easily donate one of his or her six organs.
The Organs That Can Be Donated by A Living Donor
A live donor's organs or tissues are transferred to a recipient’s body. Organ and tissue donation can create the difference between life and death for patients waiting for transplants. By donating organs, one living donor may save up to six lives. The intestines, kidneys, segments of the liver, part of the lungs, uterus, and pancreas are among the organs that may be given.
Kidneys
The kidneys are the most often transplanted organ. The kidneys are in charge of filtering waste and excess water from the blood and maintaining the proper balance of the body's fluids. Individuals who are on dialysis owing to excessive blood pressure, diabetes, or cystic kidney disease may qualify for a kidney transplant.
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Parts of a Liver
The liver is responsible for about 500 recognized processes in the human body, including the production of bile, which assists in digestion, the breakdown of toxic compounds in the blood, and the storage of vitamins, carbohydrates, and fats. Due to the extensive array of activities performed by the liver, donating one may help patients avoid chronic liver illnesses such as hepatitis or damage caused by drugs or alcohol.
A given liver may sometimes be shared between two recipients, which implies that a single donor might possibly save two lives. However, a living donor can't donate a full liver. But in special cases, a few segments of a liver can be transferable while being alive.
Parts of a Lung
The lungs perform a critical job in the body. They absorb oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Cystic fibrosis, emphysema, and pulmonary edema are among the conditions that often necessitate a lung transplant. As with the liver, a single living donor may contribute just a few segments of his or her lung.
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Parts of a Pancreas
Individuals need their pancreas to assist with insulin regulation. The pancreas generates insulin, a hormone that aids the body in using glucose (sugar) for energy, as well as enzymes that aid in the digestion of fat, protein, and carbs. A few parts of the pancreas can be transplanted from a living donor.
Parts of Intestine
Your intestines are responsible for the digestion and re-absorption of nutrients into circulation. If your intestines are twisted or clogged, or if you have a short-gut syndrome, you may need a complete or partial intestinal transplant.
Others Organs and Tissues
Additionally, some tissues such as skin, bone, bone marrow, and blood may be given by a live donor. Over time, a healthy individual may naturally replenish these tissues.
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Process of a Living Donation
For organ donation, the live donor must be in excellent health and the age limit must be between 18 to 60 years. Intensive care is given to ensure that the donation does not cause any detrimental physical, psychological, or emotional effects. Before starting the medical process, the donor is evaluated by the transplant facility to establish his or her emotional fitness, physical health, and compatibility.
Making a choice to be a live donor should be taken very seriously. Donating an organ or tissue is a risky surgical operation. Ensure that you discuss the operation with the surgeon to ensure that your expectations are reasonable. While the donor's medical expenditures are covered by the recipient's insurance, there may be some financial implications associated with time off work during recuperation.
In most cases, live donors are family members or close acquaintances of the recipients. However, some brave heart individuals may respond to a request for assistance from someone they do not know but desire to assist.
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Why is Organ Donation Noble?
According to experts, a single donor's organs may save or assist up to 50 individuals. The majority of donations occur after a donor's death. However, some organs and tissues may be given while the donor is still alive without causing the donor any damage. Organ donors might be of any age or background.
Organ donation is purely a charitable gesture. It is considered as a noble activity in almost every society and country. Donating an organ fosters a noble and humanitarian attitude in society. This indicates a desire to continue serving others beyond one's death. Organs should be donated with the kind intentions of saving lives of other humans.
Why People Should Consider Organ Donation
A new name is added to the waiting list every nine minutes. Organ and tissue donation provides patients awaiting transplantation hope and life. Simply put, enrolling in organ donation is a lifesaving gift.
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As a living donor, you may not witness the direct result of organ donation, but it will be felt and experienced by the recipient on his or her every breath. Thus, you may leave a legacy of love and healing as an organ and tissue donor.
Bottom Line
An opportunity to breathe, see, or walk once again can rejuvinate a person who might have the least hope for living. Organ transplantations can enable the recipients to reclaim their most precious moments on earth through the rest of their lives. By registering as a living organ or tissue donor, you may give a person hope for a new life.
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How Can Shampoo Damage Your Hair? How to Prevent It?
Hair plays a vital role in a human’s satisfying lifestyle and Shampoo is one of the key agents used for keeping the hair clean, healthy, and attractive. Nowadays, the beauty and fashion industry portrays Shampoo as one of the must-use products for hair care. Have you ever thought, is your Shampoo a savior or destroyer of your hair? Unless you apply a chemical free Shampoo, it can cause fatal consequences on your hair! Now it's time for pinning up the most common harmful ingredients in shampoos.
Dangerous Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Sulfates are the most common ingredient in shampoo. All the sebum is taken out with the surfactants while rinsing out the shampoo. These harsh cleaning agents can damage the hair and can cause allergic retort in people with sensitive skin.
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
This detergent performs the same activities mentioned as the earlier one. Moreover, it generates lathering foam. Most of us think we do not get sufficiently clean regardless of foam, though it is not the real case. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can have mutagenic properties that can harm the human body.
Parabens
Paraben is used mostly in cosmetics and shampoos to prevent bacterial growth. Parabens can imitate the hormone estrogen and have been related to the increased growth of breast cancer cells. Multiple investigations have shown that women have a higher aggregation of parabens in their bodies compared to men, which is likely a result of using more cosmetic and healthcare products including shampoo.
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Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride simply plays the role of maintaining thicker regularity in shampoos and conditioners. This salt can make an ultimate sensitive scalp itchy and dry, which in fact can be a cause of hair loss.
Polyethylene Glycols (PEG)
This thickening agent can be directly harmful to humans as they are obtained from petroleum.
Triethanolamine (TEA)
TEA is also a foaming and emulsifier agent that decreases the surface tension between different elements.
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Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is the scariest and most harmful ingredient used in shampoo that Manufacturers often add it straight as a preservative.
Alcohol
It is another common component used in shampoo that has a drying effect. Your hair may get harshness and irreversible dryness from this property.
Synthetic Fragrances
Fragranced cosmetic products can derange the reproductive systems. They can also cause asthma and cancer to make their way into females’ breast milk. It can also cause hair loss.
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Harmful Side Effects of Shampoo
Research has shown that various chemicals hidden inside shampoo may cause serious health risks. Some of the harmful effects of using shampoo daily are mentioned below.
Cancer
Generally, shampoo carries Diethanolamine (DEA)-a wetting agent and nitrite-a preservative used in shampoos. These two chemicals respond forming a cancer-causing compound namely Nitrosamines. Another preservative called parabens used in shampoos can cause breast cancer also.
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Kidney & Liver Problems
Some low-quality shampoos carry Diethanolamine (DEA) or Triethanolamine(TEA) that can cause possible damage to your liver and kidneys if used frequently. Never forget to check for the ingredients while buying shampoo. Avoid using ordinary products on your skin as they will damage your health without you knowing it.
Hair & Scalp Problems
The dangerous ingredient Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) available in shampoo causes damage to hair follicles and leads to hair loss. SLS is a foaming agent in shampoo that has protein intoxicating properties that cause inflammation and skin irritation with many other scalp problems.
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Eye Problems
Toxic ingredients sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) used in shampoos can cause cataracts in adults if it is used frequently. The shocking news is that everyday shampooing in kids can hamper the proper development of their eyes. Another chemical, Formaldehyde, used in shampoos causes a burning sensation in your eyes.
Asthma
Some ingredients in shampoo like DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternion-15, and bronopol contain a chemical called formaldehyde, a sensitizer. Asthma, chest pain, and shortness of breath can happen shampooing daily.
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Skin Problems
Excessive use of shampoo decreases the natural production of oils of the skin, thus causing various skin irritations. Daily use of shampoo can cause rashes, skin inflammation, itching, redness, and eczema.
Immune System
The shampoo contains toxic ingredients that can pose a threat to your entire immune system if used repeatedly. Basically, the ingredients such as SLS and SLES found in more than 90% of shampoos cause a major risk to your immune system rather than acting as a good hair care ingredient.
The harmful effects of using shampoo frequently are ceaseless. So, make sure to take extra care to find the ingredients listed on the label while buying shampoo, and try to go for SLS-free shampoos to lessen the side effects on you.
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How to use Shampoo Safely
You cannot but use shampoo for regular hair care. But you should know how to use it safely to maintain healthy hair. Here are some tips:
Avoid Washing Daily
Do you know the secret of having nice hair? The secret is that those who have nice hair do not wash their hair nearly as often as you would think. Anthony Cole, a hair expert says shampooing hair three times a week is enough for most hair types.
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Try to use filtered, lukewarm water
Though there is no proven ideal suitable temperature, warm water is preferable to hot. It is better if you can use cold water. Coldwater helps lock the hair-moisture which benefits your hair in the long run. Filtering water saves your hair and skin from harmful chemicals like chlorine and synthetic.
Press Gently
As healthy hair begins at the scalp, do not use your nails or massage the scalp too harshly. Just apply minimal pressure. One to two minutes of massage is enough that will boost blood flow to the scalp and will help stimulate hair growth.
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Select shampoo according to hair type
The same shampoo may not be suitable for all members of a family. It is your hair so you will understand better which shampoo suits your hair most. You can talk to your hair expert to select the best shampoo for your hair type.
Use Conditioner
Leaving conditioner for a longer time in your hair may damage the hair. Therefore, do not keep the conditioner on hair for more than five to seven minutes. Try to use a wide-tooth come while conditioning.
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Dry Hair
You may be out of the shower but your job is not done just yet. It is better to use a towel to dry your hair rather than using a hair dryer.
Bottom Line
So far, we have identified the harmful chemicals used in Shampoos and their denigrating effects on Hair. To get rid of these destructive hair-killing elements you need to be careful the next time you are shopping for it. However, Shampoo is one of the most useful products used for cleaning the hair. If you follow the safe application process of Shampoo, it will cause the least damage.
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Suicide Prevention: How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease, every year, approximately 800,000 people die from suicide, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds, and it is the tenth leading cause of death for all age groups worldwide. The goal should be not just to prevent suicide but also to reduce the number of thoughts that lead to it. People struggling with suicidal thoughts often feel hopeless, depressed or want to hurt themselves or others. Let's discuss some ways to deal with suicidal thoughts.
Why Do Suicidal Thoughts Come to Mind?
The reasons why suicidal thoughts may come to mind are complex and varied but can generally be broken down into two broad categories:
1) factors that may trigger suicidal thoughts in someone who is already vulnerable, and
2) factors that may increase the likelihood of someone committing suicide.
Some common triggers for suicidal thoughts can include feeling isolated, hopeless, and desperate; experiencing significant emotional or physical pain; witnessing or experiencing violence or abuse; feeling like a burden to others; having a history of mental health issues; experiencing a loss or significant change in one's life; having a recent traumatic event, or being in a stressful environment.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, it is important to overcome the suicidal thoughts as soon as possible.
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8 Effective Ways to Cope with Suicidal Thoughts
If the sheer thought of living a single day seems unbearable, it might be time to start taking steps to overcome suicidal thoughts. This can be a frightening thing to do, but with some help and support from family and friends, you will find that life does indeed go on. Consider following ways to start dealing with your suicidal thoughts.
Speak with a therapist
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, it is important to speak with a therapist. A therapist can help you work through your thoughts and feelings and can provide support. They can also provide guidance on how to deal with suicidal thoughts. If you don't have a therapist, you can search for one online.
Reach out to loved ones
It can be difficult to talk about suicidal thoughts, but it can be very helpful to reach out to loved ones. Talking with them about how you are feeling can help them understand what you are going through and provide support. They may be able to offer insights or suggestions on how to deal with the thoughts. It's also important to let them know if you have any plans or have already attempted suicide. This allows them to be on the lookout for warning signs and take steps to ensure your safety.
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Join a support group
When struggling with suicidal thoughts, it can be incredibly helpful to join a support group. In these groups, people can share their stories and provide support to one another. This can be an incredibly helpful way to cope with suicidal thoughts, as it provides a sense of community and understanding. Additionally, these groups can often provide helpful resources and information.
Exercise
One of the benefits of exercise is that it can help improve mood and well-being. Exercise releases endorphins hormones that can eventually improve mood. Exercise can also help to distract from suicidal thoughts. When someone is focusing on completing a goal, such as running a marathon, they are less likely to focus on negative thoughts. Exercise can also provide a sense of accomplishment, which can be beneficial for people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Eat healthy
People who eat a healthy diet have been shown to have better moods and overall well-being than those who do not. This is likely due to the fact that healthy foods contain important nutrients that are necessary for optimal mental health. Some of these nutrients include omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins.
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Making a few simple changes to your diet can go a long way in improving your mood and overall well-being. Start by adding in some healthy foods and eliminating unhealthy ones.
Get enough sleep
It is no secret that sleep is important. What may be a secret, however, is the importance of getting enough sleep for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Sleep deprivation can aggravate mood swings and contribute to feelings of hopelessness. It can also lead to poor judgment and decision-making. In short, getting enough sleep is important for physical and mental well-being.
For someone struggling with suicidal thoughts, getting enough sleep can be a critical distraction. It can provide a much-needed break from obsessive thoughts and negative emotions. It can also help to restore balance and perspective. When feeling overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts, taking some time for rest and rejuvenation can make all the difference.
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Seek peer support
Peer support is a resource that is often underrated. When someone is feeling suicidal, talking to someone who has also been there can be incredibly helpful. Peer support groups are often confidential, and participants are often willing to share their experiences and advice. These groups can provide a sense of community and connection, which can be healing in times of crisis.
Consider medication
When it comes to mental health, it is important to take any and all measures necessary to ensure that you are in the best state possible. If medication is needed to treat a mental health condition, talk to your doctor about options. Some medications may help to decrease suicidal thoughts. It is important, to be honest with your doctor about your feelings and any thoughts or plans of suicide. Make sure you follow the doctor's orders regarding medication and seek immediate help if you experience any negative side effects.
Final Words
Nothing is more precious on earth than life. However, due to diverse reasons an individual may experience the urge of ending his or her life. When you are feeling suicidal, it might seem like there is no other way out. However, knowing the ways to prevent the thoughts of suicide may be the best option for you. You can try the above-mentioned ways to get a new life.
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Kleptomania or the habit of stealing in children: How to deal with it?
Kleptomania is an abstract disorder. It is known as uncontrollable stealing which is generally an urge or desire to steal. To steal anything is less valuable but if not stopped it might become a habit as kids grow up. Somehow, most parents don’t know what kleptomania is in kids and how to manage it. We are here with some proven strategies to handle kleptomania in your children.
What is Kleptomania in children?
The situation or habit of not being able to withstand the urge to collect or put by anything is called kleptomania. Children with this mental disorder are impelled to steal things, generally objects of little or no notable value, like pens, pencils, tape, paper clips, signs, rubber, eraser, traffic cones, cosmetics, and small toys.
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Kleptomania is an irresistible desire to snap something. It generally begins at adolescence and is seen as a rare case in children. Kleptomaniacs are not criminals in thought but they steal because they are mentally unstable. Research has shown that kleptomania is more common in women than men. However, children too are influenced by it.
Causes of Kleptomania in children
Still, it is unknown the causes of kleptomania in children. It may be a result of environmental, psychological, and biological factors. Many suggest that changes in the brain may be the root cause of kleptomania. More research initiatives are necessary to find out the possible causes of kleptomania. Let’s check out here the most common causes of kleptomania:
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Environmental Causes
Kleptomania in children is not a big issue. Child development experts suggest the following general trend of stealing:
- Many children love to take home particular things they like that generally do not belong to them.
- Kids of 2-4 year old do not have a clear idea between yours and mine and general sharing, so they take things home. Actually, this cannot be marked as stealing.
- Children of 5-8-year-olds are aware of the ownership. If they take anything that does not belong to them, they hide them and try to subterfuge when they are asked about that. It is normal that they cannot have self-control. But parents need to be concerned about this behavior. However, they need not worry too much considering it as a never-to-die habit.
- It is really a matter of serious concern for kids of 8 years or more. It becomes impossible to refrain these kids from the stealing habit although they are corrected several times.
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Psychological Causes
- The kids who are anxious or angry and attention seekers may steal at home, school, or with friends. In these cases, of course, they need help, as they are enduring serious physical and emotional abuse.
- Most children are compelled to steal when they do not afford to buy certain items. They may steal to own some popular branded items or may do so to support their drug habit.
Biological Causes
Brain activity pattern
When the neurotransmitter serotonin decreases in the brain, it often causes risk-taking behaviors. Serotonin controls the mood and emotions of a person. Moreover, there may also be a flow in dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter switch on the enjoyment of the brain. This causes the stealing act in the child and the child gets pleasure from it.
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