Wellness expert Roopashree Sharma answers your health queries.
Dear Reader, Health is something we all take for granted. Until, one day, we get a rude wake-up call and find that we can no longer do so.
Are worried about your health?
Do you want to build your immunity?
Are you facing skin or hair issues?
Is your digestive system giving you trouble?
Or is belly fat your problem?
Mail your queries to wellness expert Roopashree Sharma at getahead@rediff.co.in (SUBJECT: Roopashree, can you help?) for her advice.
Dear Roopashree,
My name is Minoo.
At this time when the country is going through a bad phase of COVID, how can we protect ourselves from it?
How can we increase our immunity?
If we do end up getting COVID, what can we do if it is at an early stage?
And what can we do if it starts to get bad again?
I am from Mumbai.
Thank you for your time and advice.
Minoo Sharma
Hi Minoo,
The current pandemic definitely calls for strong precautions to avoid contracting the disease.
While treatment should be as prescribed by health practitioners, a few naturopathy tips can go a long way to keep you healthy.
Your respiratory system can be strengthened by practising deep breathing and, eventually, pranayams; taking steam in case of any blockage or visits outside; and regular walks.
To strengthen body’s immunity, you should give it time to detox. Avoid meals at night, so that the body has time to rejuvenate post digestion.
If you observe any symptoms, keep a watch on your temperature and oxygen levels and visit your nearest health practitioner in time.
Simultaneously, you can initiate naturopathy remedies like:
In case of cold, drink a concoction of tulsi, ginger and honey.
In case of fever with cold and sore throat, drink a kadha made of onion, ginger, pepper and jaggery.
In case of difficulty in breathing, take onion juice mixed with honey.
Never underestimate the age old practice of gargling with warm salt water -- a sure shot remedy for sore throat.
Also, herbs like ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) and giloy (heart leaved moonseed) are recommended in Ayurveda, but should be taken under guidance from an Ayurveda practitioner only.
Above all don’t panic or be fearful. Talk with your physician, instead of being scared and creating/causing anxiety.
Chanting Om daily for five to 15 minutes gives good stress relief.
Be happy and safe!
Hi
I have an urge to vomit a small quantity of food after my evening meal (during evening walk or bath).
Normally it is undigested or unchewed material.
Please suggest a remedy.
Thank you.
Mahendra Rathi
The symptoms show that your body is not able to digest either a certain quantity of your meal or digest it after certain time.
Usually, the digestive fire weakens with age, time of the day and during times of illness and high stress.
Therefore, it is recommended not to have meals post sunset. At the very latest, you should eat by 8 pm.
Allow yourself to feel hungry during the day and then only eat small portions.
Let your digestive fire get activated.
Based on your physique and age, you should have a basic exercise regime -- from light walking to a simple Surya Namaskar or a proper yoga routine, everyone needs to exercise on a daily basis.
In pranayams, Kapalbhati will be helpful.
If you don’t have an acidity problem, have lemon and honey mixed in warm water first thing in the morning for a month.
Dear Roopashree
These are the details.
Female: 36 years
Weight: 64 kg
Height: 5.2 feet
Health conditions: Beta thalassaemic minor, anaemic, diabetic post pregnancy for last 10 years.
Diagnosed with hyperventilation attacks that happen at any time of the day.
Sudden spike in heartbeat palpitations, gasping of air due to sudden drop in oxygen, gasping leads to pain in chest for few minutes, all subsides slowly after resting in A/C for over 10-15 minutes.
Unable to do pranayam for long due to the same.
Can you please suggest anything that will help in Ayurveda, naturopathy, etc?
Deepak
Hi Deepak.
Our lives have become like high-speed race cars, guzzling fuel and burning out at a fast pace.
Now, we cannot push the brakes at once so we need to slowly align ourselves with Nature.
The first step is to bring peace to the body and mind.
Start with getting up at 6 am, right before sunrise. Find a peaceful, open place in the house, a balcony/window or near some plants and good ventilation.
Sit comfortably and practise deep breathing, concentrating on your breath.
After 10 minutes, do Om chanting for 10 minutes.
After a month of this, add 10 mins of Anulom Vilom pranayam.
Overthinking and stressing is more of a habit; try to overcome it.
Our body needs physical activity of at least 1-2 hours daily.
Even if it is slow walks within the house, movement is necessary.
You can sit, take a breath and get up again. Do this a few times, every time.
For a month, eat light -- no fried food.
Don’t sleep in the afternoon, you can recline and rest but do not lie down.
Take more of soups and fruits, both to gain strength as well as detox the body.
Avoid fried, fermented and sweet dishes – it doesn’t mean you can only eat bland food, but prefer lighter preparations with moderate spices.
For your anaemia, eat spinach; you can have it in soups or salads. Bananas in the morning are also a great source of iron.
Above all, slow down, breathe easy and make peace with Nature.
Dear Roopashree
I am suffering from high BP for the last 20 years.
Till last year, it was well controlled. From last September, my BP has increased suddenly to 200/120.
I am taking allopathic medicines and, with these medicines, my BP has come down to 160/100. This reading is also not stable.
Kindly suggest what I should do.
Name: Sujata Biswas
Age: 66 years
Height: 5 feet
Weight: 66 kg
Thank you.
Sujata
Dear Sujata.
Blood pressure is the outcome of either bad eating, zero or extreme workouts or taking excessive stress.
If the latter is your reason, please understand that everyone has their share of stress; life is all about learning to manage it.
Instead of thinking about our problems, we can focus on our blessings. Gratitude has always been the key to happiness and thus good health.
A few diet recommendations are shared below to help you better manage your blood pressure:
Warm water mixed with the juice of half a lemon in morning.
Take a high fibre diet, with lots of spinach, daliya, soups and cut fruits. These will help clean and detox your stomach.
Control your caffeine (basically, tea and coffee) intake. Even sugar should be had in limited quantities.
When you feel uneasy, have natural tender coconut water once a day (stop when you have a cold).
Take one green cardamom thrice a day.
Do not have anything to eat, and follow this strictly, after 7 pm.
If you feel hungry, have slightly warm water (no tea).
If you are really hungry, have half a cup of milk but make sure you drink it at least two hours before you sleep.
Hi Roopashree
Can you suggest tips on how one can improve one’s health and adopt a good lifestyle?
Gaurav
Keeping in sync with Nature is the first step towards a healthy lifestyle.
The three fundamentals of good health are Eat, Sleep and Breathe right.
If these are aligned your body balance will be maintained and you will feel healthy.
Thereafter, you can add light exercises to your routine.
That’s all!
Roopashree Sharma, a qualified yoga trainer and naturopathy enthusiast, is the founder of Atharvanlife.
You can send in your health queries to Roopashree Sharma at getahead@rediff.co.in (SUBJECT: Roopashree, can you help?). Do remember to include your age, height, weight, where you stay, health issues and any other details that will help. If you wish to remain anonymous, please let us know.
Please note: This is an advisory. Please consult your doctor as well. In case of any discomfort, please stop the regime and visit your doctor.
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