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Cataract is one of the most common reasons for vision loss, especially in people aged above 40. Check our latest article to know everything about it.

Did you know that Breathing air in smog can be as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes? Check our latest blog article to know more about it and tips to protect yourself from it.

The winter season is the most misunderstood season when it comes to health and rightly so. Check our latest blog article to know the truth about the 6 popular winter health myths.

There is nothing better than sipping on a warm tea during the chilly winters. Except that, there are 8 herbal tea which you can try this winter to reap beneficial health properties in addition to their unique taste. Check our latest blog article to know all about them.

Dandruff is one of the most common skin issues that can make you uncomfortable and conscious. Check our latest blog article for quick yet effective remedies to fight it.

What is a Cataract?

Cataracts are one of the most common reason for vision loss in people who are aged above 40.

It is an eye condition where a cloudy layer forms on the surface of your eye and this hinders your vision.

While congenital cataracts is seen in infants at birth or during infancy, age-related cataracts is developed as people age.

Symptoms & Causes

While blurry and clouded vision is the most common symptoms of cataract, below are a few other prominent ones.

Double vision

Difficulty seeing at     night or in dark

Light halos

Seeing faded colors

Sensititvity to light

Glare

Frequently changiing     sight readings

While smoking is one of the most common reasons to develop cataracts, there are many more underlying causes.

Genetic disorders

Diabetes

Past eye surgery or     injuries

Use of certain     medication and steroids

Exposure to     ultraviolet radiation

Risks of developing cataracts

Below are some of the common risks fo developing cataracts

Smoking

Old age

Excessive drinking of     alcohol

High blod pressure

Family history

Prolonged exposure to     direct sun

Diabetes

Exposure to X-ray and     cancer radiation

Obesity

How a cataract forms

Cataracts forms gradually rather than appearing all of a sudden. While in most cases it can develop on both eyes, it does not happen at the same time.

The colored part of your eyes, the Iris, acts as a camera by focusing light to pass and form a clear and sharp image on the retina.

However, as you age, these lenses become less flexible and thicker due to the above causes and risk factors, eventually breaking down and clumping together.

As the condition develops, the clouding worsens by becoming thicker and preventing more light from entering. As a result, your vision becomes blurry and compromised.

Types of cataracts

While there are many types of cataracts and that are seen in different individuals, below are the common ones.

Nuclear cataracts: It is condition where the center of the lens becomes yellow or brown and makes it difficult to distinguish between color shades.

Cortical cataracts: It begins as a white wedge-shaped streaks on the outer edge of the lens and gradually progresses towards the center or the nucleus. As a result, it interferes with the light passing through it and compromises your vision.

Posterior subcapsular cataracts: It begins as a small opaque area at the back of the lens and gradually but steady develops into a full blow one. This type of cataract forms faster than the other types of cataracts. Posterior cataracts reduces your vision in bright lights and also causes glares and halos.

Congenital cataracts: These cataracts are found in newly born infants or during birth. These are usually caused due to genetics. While these usually do not hinder with the sight, they are removed as soon as detected.

Other types of cataracts are secondary, traumatic, and radiation cataracts that are caused due to usage of certain medication, involving injury, or exposure to radiation.

How to prevent cataracts?

While there is no set or confirmed method to prevent cataracts, a few lifestyle changes can definitely cut the risk of developing it or delaying it.

Quit smoking and cut     down or reduce alcohol consumption.

Maintain a healthy and     active lifestyle.

Eat a balanced diet.

Consult doctor to     manage your other health problems.

Use sunglasses     whenever you step out in the sun.

Get regular eye     examinations.

When to see a doctor?

Similar to any other eye condition or health disorder for that matter, it is recommended to see a doctor as soon as you notice the first signs of compromised vision or changes in vision.

It can be double visions or sudden sensitivity to light. You may notice them if you develop a sudden headache or eye pain. When in doubt, it is always wise to check with an expert immediately.

How are cataracts diagnosed?

The doctors will perform a series of eye examinations to determine and diagnose cataracts.

This involves tests to determine your vision from various distances, measuring eye pressure, detecting any damages in the optical nerve and retina, and checking light sensitivity and perception of colors.

Treatment

Surgery is the go-to treatment for cataracts. While there are usually two types, one is to use ultrasound waves to break the clumps on the lens apart, the most common surgery method is to create an incision in the lens and replace the cloudy part with an artificial one.

This type of surgery is highly successful and is also safe.

While cataracts may remain the same without developing further, it never clears on its own. However, if left untreated, it can cause blindness gradually. So it is always recommended to consult a doctor as soon as you detect any issue with your vision or overall health.

Who treats cataracts

An ophthalmologist is the one who treats or performs surgery to cure cataracts. You may effortlessly consult the top Ophthalmologists near you by contacting us.

Did you know that Breathing air in smog can be as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes?

The quality of the air you breathe in is directly related to lung and other respiratory issues.

Smog is the combination of smoke and fog that is usually found early in the mornings. It contains harmful gases and pollutants, which, when inhaled, will result in respiratory issues.

It is more prominent during the winters and is only becoming severe with the rising air pollutions.

The ongoing pandemic provides us with an additional reason to take care of ourselves and ensure our health is not compromised due to such issues.

So, in this article, let’s look at the top 10 tips to protect yourself from harmful smog.

1. Change run/walk timings

One of the most common ways to encounter a smog is by going for a run/walk early in the morning.

However, it is a dangerous time to do your cardio with the smog around you. It will be easier to breathe in the toxic air and in turn harm yourself.

The best alternative is to wait until the smog clears or change the timings to evening.

2. Use masks

However, if you are pretty determined to get done with your early morning jog, you may do so after putting on good quality face masks like N/K 95.

Another important thing to remember is to ensure both your nose and mouth are well covered and that you are not breathing in harmful air. Well, this tip also works to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

3. Grow air-purifying plants

This is perhaps the most pleasant yet effective tip to protect yourself from air pollution and smog.

Grow plants in and around the house to reap its maximum benefits. You may grow plants that are known specifically for their air-purifying benefits.

You can try growing indoor plants like Aloe Vera, English Ivy, Spider plant, Snake plant, and others to purify the air inside your homes.

4. Avoid areas with high pollution

Well, this goes without saying that, if you are having respiratory issues, you need to avoid areas with high pollution.

However, it can be easier said than done, especially if you need to go through such areas for your work.

In this case, as we mentioned above, use a mask or try to go through an alternative route with lesser pollution and congestion.

5. Use the steam method

If you are someone with existing respiratory issues or are having issues due to the poor quality of air or due to smog, in addition to checking yourself with a doctor, you may try steam therapy.

Put in some eucalyptus oi in steam and breathe in every day to clear the congestion in your respiratory system.

6. Keep your home well ventilated

While it is important to keep your windows and doors closed when there is a lot of outside pollutions, it is also important that you keep your house ventilated properly for the rest of the time.

Indoor pollution can be worse than outside pollution as you will be cooped up inside your home for longer hours and breathe in the same harmful air.

7. Have herbal teas

Consume herbal teas like tulsi, ginger, lemon, etc to detoxify your body.

In addition to helping you with detoxifying your body, herbal teas also minimize the effects of air pollution. Better yet, it also ensures your body is well hydrated in a healthy way.

8. Eat jaggery

If going herbal is not your cup of tea, you can try including jaggery into your everyday diet.

Jaggery which is sourced organically helps in detoxifying your blood and flushing out the toxins from your lungs and other body parts.

You may choose to substitute sugar with jaggery and reap its benefits.

9. Keep a track of the air quality

If you are trying to breathe in good quality air, you must first be aware of your area’s air quality.

So, keep tracking it regularly and only step out when the readings show safe levels.

You may do this by following daily weather updates and air quality updates on the internet.

10. Avoid smoking

While this is an obvious point, it is more than a tip that when followed, can save your life, better yet, ensure a quality one.

Smoking and air pollution can aggravate existing respiratory issues or result in developing new ones.

So, it is highly recommended to quit smoking.

If you are already suffering from an existing respiratory issue, you can contact us to connect with top experts near you.

The winter season is the most misunderstood season when it comes to health.

Most people have popular misconceptions like the season brings with it a lot of diseases and obstacles for maintaining good health.

While most of those are partly true, a lot of them are plain myths and misconceptions.

In this article, we’ll bust 10 popular winter health myths once and for all.

Myth 1: You catch a cold if you do not dress warmly.

Fact: We catch a cold or other sicknesses during the winter season due to the germs and viruses that easily transfer in the dry winter air and not entirely due to not dressing up warmly.

If you do not dress warmly, at most your will be very uncomfortable due to the biting cold and freezing winds.

You falling sick or catching a cold depends on your body’s immunity and proper hygiene. Some of the best practices to maintain good immunity and preventing yourself from getting sick are:

Wash     hands frequently, especially before and after you eat.

Eat     a healthy diet

Be     active

Manage     your stress levels

Get     good quality sleep

Myth 2: You do not need sunscreen during the winters.

Facts: Most people have this logical explanation that since the sun is mostly covered with clouds during the winter, applying sunscreen is not necessary.

However, it cannot be more wrong. Whichever season it is or how much ever the sun is covered, its harmful ultraviolet rays have the power to penetrate through the clouds and harm our skin.

Also, not many people are aware of the fact that the earth is closest to the sun during the winters (in January) and not in summer.

So, irrespective of the sun’s shine, you need to apply sunscreen to protect your skin whenever you step out.

Myth3: You lose most of your body heat through your head.

Fact: No, it is not true. You lose as much heat from your body as much as you do from your head. While we cover the entirety of our bodies, the only part that is left uncovered is our heads.

So, naturally, your head feels colder. However, you can always use skull caps and earmuffs to keep your head warm and cozy.

Myth 4: Vitamin C prevents cold and sickness.

Fact: This fact cannot be more blown out of proportion than how it is due to the onset of the pandemic.

Yes, vitamin C can help in boosting your immunity, but it is not entirely dependent on this single vitamin.

You need other vital nutrients and minerals like vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and protein among others. And the only way to ensure you have enough of those is by having a balanced and healthy diet.

Myth 5: A peg of rum a day keeps your winter blues away.

Fact: Well no one said that, however, a majority of people have this popular misconception that drinking alcohol will keep your body warm.

While drinking alcohol does make you feel warmer inside your body, it is due to the fact that your blood flows away from your internal organs and towards the exterior skin, making the core temperature drop.

Another reason for this warm feeling is, drinking alcohol impairs your body’s ability to shiver.

So, drinking alcohol just to keep yourself warm is not the wisest of ways to follow.

Myth 6: Winters causes hair loss.

Fact: You tend to lose more hair during the winters not because of the extremely cold temperatures, but due to the fact that the hair-growth cycle will be in the last phase, the resting phase.

During the resting phase, most of the hair on our heads is shed out. As most of the hair strands will be in this phase during the winters, we blame it on the winter temperature for the excessive hair fall.

Another reason is due to the dry winter air which makes your hair and scalp dry and brittle, causing itching and breakage. In this case, oil your hair regularly, and remember to use a conditioner after shampoo to lock the moisture in your hair.

Keep following us for more such interesting blog articles, and you can always contact us to consult top doctors near you.

We Indians are known to be some of the biggest tea lovers and also consumers in the world.

While drinking tea has its good and bad, we simply cannot do away with it, especially during these chilly winters.

But why compromise on your tea consumption habits when you can crank its health quotient up a notch by trying some of these popular and beneficial herbal teas.

There are many types of herbal teas available in the market today. They are known for their amazing health benefits as well as the taste. Read on to know the 8 herbal tea types which you must try this winter.

1. Ginger tea

Ginger is one of the most beneficial and commonly found ingredients in an Indian kitchen.

A tea made of ginger acts as a magic potion, especially during the winters to cure sore throats and cold. It is also good at curing stomach and digestive ailments.

You may add ginger to your regular cup of tea or to boiling water along with some cloves, cinnamon, and honey for taste and added benefits.

2. Lemon tea

Due to the pandemic, citrus fruits like lemon have become a rage and a necessary means to boost one’s immunity.

For the same reason and more, lemon tea is one of the best teas to have, if you are looking to boost your immunity and detoxify your body as well.

It is also known to boost your metabolism. Add in some turmeric and pepper to make its taste and health properties better.

3. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is one of the most trending teas in recent times, and for all the right reasons.

It is popular for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is believed to be good for the liver.

Apart from the above benefits, chamomile tea is especially taken at night for a good night’s sleep.

Its calming effects is known to aid sleep by improving sleep quality and also helping with depressive disorders.

Chamomile tea is also believed to regulate insulin and glucose levels, and help fight diarrhea and stomach ulcers. If there is any drink or tea that you can have at any time of the day guilt-free, it sure is chamomile tea.

4. Ashwagandha tea

Ashwagandha or Ashwagandha tea is another drink that has gained popularity due to the ongoing pandemic.

Ashwagandha is also known as the winter cherry and the Indian Ginseng. It is popular for its immunity-boosting properties as well as in alleviating stress, fatigue, diabetes, and many other health disorders.

To make Ashwagandha tea, boil its root or powder in water and mix some honey for taste. However, make sure that the drink is not too hot when adding the honey to retains its maximum beneficial properties.

5. Peppermint tea

In addition to its soothing taste, peppermint tea is also popular for its antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.

Due to the above beneficial properties and more, it is a popular drink to help with digestive issues, irritable bowel issues, and many others. So, you may want to try this natural remedy when faced with a digestive issue next time.

6. Hibiscus tea

This slightly sour-tasting tea is known for its antiviral properties and may help in boosting your immunity to fight the flu.

While this is yet to be confirmed by studies, other studies and research work show that drinking hibiscus tea will have a positive effect on blood pressure.

Its rich anti-oxidants help in reducing hypertension, cholesterol, and also protect cells from damage.

Due to its sour taste, it can be enjoyed both as a hot as well as a cold drink.

7. Sage tea

Many studies and research work has shown that drinking sage tea will have a positive effect on one’s cognitive functioning.

Sage is an aromatic herb and belongs to the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean region. It is packed with many minerals and vitamins like vitamin K, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, flavonoids, and many other beneficial nutrients.

Try this tea to improve your brain and also heart health.

8. Jasmine tea

Jasmine tea is usually available and taken with green tea as its base.

It is rich in antioxidants and is known to boost long and healthy living by protecting the cells from age-related issues and damage.

Drinking jasmine tea regularly is also known to reduce stress and improve physical well-being.

The best part of drinking jasmine tea is definitely its soothing smell.

Dandruff is one of the most common hair issues most people face at some point in their life.

It is a scalp condition where the skin flakes and also causes itching.

Its cause is influenced by many factors like poor hygiene, stress, weather, medical condition, and usage of certain chemical products.

While it makes people uncomfortably conscious about themselves, in most cases it can easily be cleared with a few home remedies.

In this article, let us look at the top 8 most effective remedies to get rid of dandruff.

1. Shampoo often

First things first. Not shampooing often is one of the most common reasons for developing dandruff.

Most people with shampoo once a week or even worse. This eventually results in developing dandruff.

So make sure you shampoo at least twice or thrice depending on your dandruff condition. However, make sure that you are not shampooing excessively as it will make your hair dry and brittle.

2. Coconut oil and lemon

Coconut oil is one of the most beneficial oils that are easily available in the market. It is also known for its antimicrobial and moisturizing properties.

Applying it to your scalp will rehydrate the scalp, which in turn can help in reducing dandruff.

You can take this remedy up a notch by pairing it with lemon juice. Lemon juice is known to maintain the PH level of hair and boost its health.

Simply mix a few drops of lemon juice in lukewarm coconut oil, apply it to your scalp, and massage gently. Let it remain for 20 minutes before shampooing.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the most popular natural solutions for better health these days, and rightly so.

In addition to its numerous benefits, it can also be used to treat dandruff.

The acidity of Apple Cider Vinegar is known to balance the PH levels of the scalp. This prevents the shedding of dead skin as well as reduce the growth of fungus.

To reap its benefits, mix some ACV in equal parts of water and apply it to your scalp. Let it remain for 20 minutes and rinse off with water.

Make sure you do not overdo this as it can harm your hair in the long run. Doing it once or twice a week is enough.

4. Apply Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a popular plant that is commonly used for many skin ailments like burns, psoriasis, and other conditions.

Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties also make it effective in fighting dandruff.

Aloe vera soothes the inflammation of the scalp and reduces dandruff. You may apply fresh aloe vera gel onto your scalp or use natural products that contain aloe vera.

5. Keep stress under control

High stress might not be the reason to develop dandruff in the first place, however, it sure is responsible for aggravating the condition.

Stress affects your body’s immune which is responsible for fighting infections that cause dandruff.

So, you better keep your stress levels under control if you do not want your dandruff condition to worsen. Try stress-relieving techniques like yoga and meditation to bring it under control.

6. Curd

Curd is one of the most popular probiotics. It can also be effectively used to fight dandruff.

It can be used in two ways to reap its maximum benefits, internally and externally.

Since it is a probiotic, including it in your diet will boost your gut health and in turn immune system.

As mentioned above, maintaining a good immune system is important to prevent fungal infections like dandruff. You can also use curd externally by applying it to your hair.

Simply apply it to your scalp, let it remain for an hour, and rinse off with a shampoo.

7. Neem

Neem leaves are known for its medicinal benefits and are also used in treating many skin ailments due to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Crush a few neem leaves into a thick paste and apply it to your scalp. Let it dry for at least 10 minutes and wash it off with a shampoo.

8. Maintain a healthy diet

Most of our remedies articles are not completely without us stressing over the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.

Because most of the health issues that appear externally are influenced by what we eat.

It is very important that you maintain a balanced diet for not only your overall health but also to reduce dandruff.

Make sure you include probiotics and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

While the above remedies are an effective solution for curing mild to moderate dandruff cases, severe dandruff issues must be treated by an expert as it can be an underlying skin condition.

Consult Best Gastroenterlogist in Hyderabad, get online doctor consultation, Book appointment, View doctor fees, availability, address and Phone numbers.

Consult Best Gastroenterlogist in Hyderabad, get online doctor consultation, Book appointment, View doctor fees, availability, address and Phone numbers.

Consult Best Gastroenterlogist in Hyderabad, get online doctor consultation, Book appointment, View doctor fees, availability, address and Phone numbers.

Consult Best Gastroenterlogist in Hyderabad, get online doctor consultation, Book appointment, View doctor fees, availability, address and Phone numbers.

Consult Best general physician in Hyderabad, get online doctor consultation, Book appointment, View doctor fees, availability, address and Phone numbers.

Consult Best general physician in Hyderabad, get online doctor consultation, Book appointment, View doctor fees, availability, address and Phone numbers.

Consult Best general physician in Hyderabad, get online doctor consultation, Book appointment, View doctor fees, availability, address and Phone numbers.