World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise awareness about the mosquito-borne disease that affects around 290 million people globally every year.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. More than 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year.
The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement.” The World Health Organization’s aim is to focus on implementing the tools and strategies for tackling malaria by reaching the marginalized populations of society.
Common symptoms of malaria:
Fever and Chills
Generally feeling unwell
Headache and body aches
Sweats
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal bleeding
Difficulty breathing
If not promptly treated, malaria can lead to anemia and jaundice, which may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma and death.
Who is at risk of infection?
People who are exposed to the bites of mosquitoes infected with P. falciparum are most at risk. Young children and pregnant women or travelers coming from areas with no malaria may have little or no immunity to malaria and are likely to become very sick and die from the infection. People living in rural areas with no access to health care are also at a greater risk.
It is estimated that 90% of deaths due to malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these deaths occur in children under 5 years of age.
Prevention:
Certain preventive drugs are recommended for people traveling to areas that are prone to malaria. Using insecticide-treated bed nets and protective clothing can prevent mosquito bites. A malaria vaccine for children is recommended in countries with high numbers of cases.
Foods to avoid when you are infected:
1. High sugar – When fighting an infection, it is always advisable to cut down on sugar as sugary foods can impair the immune response to infection. Excessive sugar intake can also lead to insulin resistance which can complicate the symptoms of malaria.
2. Foods rich in fiber – Highly fibrous foods like green leafy vegetables, fruits with thick skin and whole grain cereals in large quantities need to be avoided.
3. Fried, fatty, and processed foods – Avoid frozen dinners, pre-packaged snacks and canned items when you are fighting malaria as they might have excess salt, sugar and preservatives that interrupt immune response. Fried food and food rich in fat can upset the digestive system.
4. Milk and dairy products – Milk and dairy products are known to cause inflammation in the body and can worsen the symptoms of malaria as these food items are difficult to digest.
5. Alcohol and caffeine – Alcohol should be avoided as it can lead to dehydration and exhaustion. It can also weaken the immune system. Caffeine is not recommended as it can aggravate exhaustion and disrupt sleep necessary for the body to fight the infection.
6. Spicy food and citrus fruits – Foods rich in spices and citrus fruits can irritate the digestive tract, which can worsen symptoms such as vomiting and nausea.
Foods to include in diet:
1. Choose a high-carb diet – Including simple sources of carbohydrates in the diet that do not need much digestion and provide instant energy is the key to recovery.
2. Increase protein consumption – When a person fights malaria, the need for protein increases as the infection can lead to loss of muscle. Including the right kind of protein, along with a high carbohydrate diet, can help in building muscles.
3. Keep your body hydrated – Drinking plenty of water and including coconut water, lemon juice, and orange juice in your diet will help to keep the body hydrated.
4. Increase Vitamin Intake –Try to include foods rich in vitamins A and C such as carrots, beets, and fruits as these vitamins are crucial for the immune system and are rich in antioxidants.
More than 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year. pixabay
Long days of work, lack of sleep, and stress at the office can be the most common factors that make you feel tired. However, feeling “tired all the time” (TATT) without known reasons can be an indication of an underlying health issue that needs immediate attention.
Finding the exact cause of the lingering tiredness can be the first step toward solving the symptom.
Health conditions that cause fatigue:
1. Anemia – Anemia is one of the most common causes of fatigue. A person who has anemia does not have enough red blood cells in the body, causing symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, feeling cold and crankiness.
Most often, anemia is caused by iron deficiency. Hence, the condition can be best resolved by including iron-rich foods in the diet and use of iron supplements.
2. Sleep Apnea – It causes the body to stop breathing momentarily during sleep. The condition can affect the quality of sleep and hence make you feel fatigued.
For milder cases of sleep apnea, lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking can help solve the sleep disorder. In more severe cases where there is an obstruction in breathing, surgeries and therapies can help.
3. Diabetes – A person who has diabetes has changes in blood sugar level, which can cause fatigue. A patient who is already on diabetic medication can also experience tiredness as a side effect of the medication.
Early identification and taking the correct treatment is the key to managing diabetes. Losing extra weight and having a healthy diet also help in the treatment.
4. Thyroid – Thyroid diseases can be due to an overactive or an underactive thyroid gland. In people who have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), the metabolism slows down leading to symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue. In people with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), the metabolism speeds up leading to fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
Right diet and lifestyle choices, along with medications, can help in thyroid management.
5. Infections – A person can show symptoms of fatigue when the body is fighting a viral or bacterial infection. Infections ranging from the flu to HIV can cause tiredness.
Along with fatigue, other symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, shortness of breath and appetite loss can also accompany the infection. Treating the symptoms and taking adequate rest helps in faster recovery.
6. Food allergies – Fatigue may be an early warning sign of hidden food allergies and autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease. Identifying the allergen using a food allergy test or through an elimination diet can help in allergy treatment.
7. Heart disease – If you feel exhausted from an activity that used to be easy, then it is good to check your heart health, as fatigue can be an indication of underlying heart disease.
8. Depression/ anxiety – Fatigue can also be an indicator of a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety. A combination of medication and psychotherapy can help relieve symptoms.
Lifestyle causes
Apart from serious health conditions, certain lifestyle habits such as dehydration, poor diet, stress and insufficient sleep can cause exhaustion. Having a well-balanced diet, regular exercise and routine sleep can help solve fatigue caused by lifestyle habits.
Picture this: you’re burning the midnight oil, studying or binge-watching your favorite shows, all at the expense of a good night’s sleep. Have you ever stopped to think about the toll it takes on your body and mind? The consequences can be more serious than you might realize.
Not getting enough sleep can translate into a multitude of issues, including weight gain, lack of focus, tiredness, a haze of confusion, and even depression. If you too are encountering similar issues lately then chances are you have a sleep debt.
Wondering what is sleep debt?
People from 13-18 years of age need 8 hours of sleep, whilst adults beyond that age will require at least 7 hours of snooze.
Sleep debt is a collection of the total hours you haven’t slept or traded your sleep for something else. Sleep debt keeps piling up as a person falls short of the total hours of sleep recommended for an adult, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And when you keep letting go of your sleep for other activities, the body adapts to the new normal and effects start to reflect on the energy levels, which deplete.
“However, like every other debt out there, this too has a repayment option,” Dr. Kunal Kumar, medical director of the Sleep Center at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, told Livestrong.
Below are some expert-vetted ways you can pay back the sleep debt. (Courtesy: Livestrong and Sleepfoundation)
Just like financial debt, imagine sleep debt as a debt you owe to your body. It needs to be repaid. The good news is that catching up on sleep is indeed possible.
Maintain a set sleep schedule: Overhauling the sleep schedule is a pretty difficult task to achieve, and it’s best to do that gradually. Create a set sleep schedule by making some small changes to your routine. Instead of making abrupt shifts in your bedtime or wake-up time, adjust them gradually by 15 to 30-minute increments.
Minimize your gadget usage: Wind down activities and minimize electronic usage before bed to promote better sleep. Relax and prepare for quality sleep by dimming the lights and setting an alarm for 30 minutes to an hour before bed.
Reshuffle your sleeping arrangements: Are you finding it hard to get a good night’s sleep due to excessive sweating? Well, here’s a handy solution: consider upgrading to a cooling mattress or opting for cooling sheets. These innovative sleep essentials can help regulate your body temperature, and keep you comfortably cool throughout the night, ensuring a more blissful slumber. Memory foam pillows can work wonders in relieving neck and back discomfort in case you are struggling with backache.
Improve the bedroom environment: Create a sleep-friendly bedroom environment by adjusting the temperature for comfort, and blocking out disruptive lights, or noises that might disturb your restful slumber. And if your mattress, pillow, or sheets are worn out or no longer providing the support you need, consider treating yourself to new ones.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for a range of health benefits, from promoting brain and heart health to reducing inflammation and protection against several chronic conditions.
In a new study, researchers found that omega-3 acids, especially the type found in foods like flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, canola oil and soybean oil, can slow down the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
It is a debilitating nervous system disease that gradually worsens over time and can be fatal. The condition results in a loss of muscle control and affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it.
The initial symptoms of the disease include muscle weakness, difficulty in walking and hand movements. The symptoms can slowly progress to difficulties with chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.
The exact cause of ALS is not known. However, around 10% of people get it from a risk gene passed down from a family member. It is estimated that more than 32,000 people in the U.S. live with the condition.
In the latest study, researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Massachusetts evaluated 449 people living with ALS in a clinical trial. The team assessed the severity of their symptoms, the progression of their disease, along with the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood, for 18 months.
The study suggested that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 found in plants, is particularly beneficial in slowing the progression of ALS. The participants with the highest levels of ALA had a 50% reduced risk of death during the study period compared to those with the lowest levels of ALA.
Researchers also found a reduction in death risk in participants who had eicosapentaenoic acid, the type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish and fish oil, and linoleic acid found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
A previous study conducted by the same team suggested that a diet high in ALA and higher blood levels of the nutrient could reduce the risk of developing the condition.
“In this study, we found that among people living with ALS, higher blood levels of ALA were also associated with a slower disease progression and a lower risk of death within the study period. These findings, along with our previous research suggest that this fatty acid may have neuroprotective effects that could benefit people with ALS,” said Kjetil Bjornevik, the lead author of the study.
