Hola!...It’s been ages since I wrote a thing in my blog and now, I have taken some time out to post this interesting/informative topic. Hectic work, busy life, shorter days, bad weather, no sunshine, killing winter, heavy duty job etc are the facts literally hogging my life lately. Alongside of all these, life is making me enjoy the company of my parents-in-law, sight seeing, shopping, great stuff to eat (as my MIL is a terrific cook), gossips to share, a boring silent home turning into a lively one after work - as I am greeted with a warm smile and a cup of coffee every evening…what a bliss!
Now, coming to the post, very unusual of me to go through all the FWD mails I get. Infact, it gets me on my nerves when I read those silly and boring ones. However, I do enjoy reading something informative and sensible. Thanks to R3 for sending this vital piece of information she gathered from somewhere and to Wipro for arranging this session. In this mundane world, it is important for us to know how to be healthy. 'Yeah! right... we know how to keep ourselves healthy and fit' - is the attitude we carry and tend to neglect those important factors by which we can avoid inviting Heart and other ailments. Well, here are the tips from a renowned doctor in India Dr. Devi Shetty, helping us to keep our heart beating normally. Read on...
A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty (Heart Specialist) of Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees. The transcript of the chat is given below.
Q1: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?
A1:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar
Q2: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
A2: No
Q3: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
A3: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.
Q4: Are heart diseases hereditary?
A4: Yes
Q5: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?
A5: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.
Q6: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?
A6: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints
Q7: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?
A7: Mother Theresa , who was my patient
Q8: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?
A8: Extremely rare
Q9: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age (I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?
A9: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.
Q10: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart?
A10: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.
Q11: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?
A11: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.
Q12: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?
A12: Yoga helps
Q13: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?
A13: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.
Q14: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?
A14: All oils are bad.
Q15: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?
A15: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.
Q16: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?
A16: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.
Q17: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?
A17: Extremely difficult without ECG.
Q18: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.
A18: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, edentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.
Q19: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?
A19: Yes
Q20: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?
A20: Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child.
Q21: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?
A21: When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.
Q22: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?
A22 : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.
Q23: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?
A23: No.
Q24: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?
A24 : No.
Q25: How would you define junk food?
A25 : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas.
Q26: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?
A26: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.
Q27: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?
A27: No.
Q28: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?
A28 : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.
Q29: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?
A29: No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.
Q30: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?
A30: Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.
Q31: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?
A31: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.
Q32: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?
A32: Diet, exercise, drugs on time, Control cholesterol, BP, weight.
Q33: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?
A33: No.
Q34: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?
A34: There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.
Q35: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?
A35: No.
Q36: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?
A36: Nature protects women till the age of 45.
Q37: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?
A37: Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended).
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
A Song that takes me to a different world
O Saathi Re Din Doobe Na.… from the movie 'Omkara' mesmerises me.
In the song O Saathi Re from the movie Omkara, the soft murmur of a guitar, like the wet-with-dew-morning makes you take a deep breath of calmness. Shreya Ghoshal’s silken warm voice tremulously gels with the bass-ignited-soft-rhythm pattern. The real uumph follows when you hear Vishal Bharadwaj singing the male lead with the tenderness of a potter weighing his clay while making a vessel of a lifetime. Even his breath sound adds a dash of romance to this song.
If soothing music with illuminating lyrics defines your music, then you’d love to play this song again and again. Indulge in the music, lyrics, guitar, tender voices of the brilliant singers and you are assured to be lightened.
Listen to the song here
In the song O Saathi Re from the movie Omkara, the soft murmur of a guitar, like the wet-with-dew-morning makes you take a deep breath of calmness. Shreya Ghoshal’s silken warm voice tremulously gels with the bass-ignited-soft-rhythm pattern. The real uumph follows when you hear Vishal Bharadwaj singing the male lead with the tenderness of a potter weighing his clay while making a vessel of a lifetime. Even his breath sound adds a dash of romance to this song.
If soothing music with illuminating lyrics defines your music, then you’d love to play this song again and again. Indulge in the music, lyrics, guitar, tender voices of the brilliant singers and you are assured to be lightened.
Listen to the song here
Friday, 31 August 2007
A Remembrance.....
This day has been one of those quiet, pale and blank days leaving me with a feeling of melancholy. I found myself drowned in thoughts thorough out the day recollecting that dreaded moment which had left us in a state of shock – K mama passing away. It’s been exactly one year since we have lost our beloved mama. Mama, we miss you.
He was hale and healthy, young and energetic, firm and caring. He posed to be strict but yet filled with love and affection. He was quiet, yet jovial. He was never in distress until he sensed a shooting pain in his chest causing him to go unconscious within seconds. A massive heart attack took his life away on 31 August 2006 at 11.30 pm. It is incredibly difficult for me to look back and think how my aunt (S), my little cousins, his parents, siblings went through that phase, that pain. S did everything in her capacity to fight the reality, but destiny made it’s choice, giving her no chance to undo his death. It wrenched her to watch him go. We did not see this coming at all. How can you accept someone close to you disappearing into the void all of a sudden? How can this be? How can we let go? Whom do we appeal to justify? The abrupt ending to his life feels so cruel.
When Abhi and I landed here (July 2006), in a new place, miles and miles away from our people, a new world altogether, least we wanted to anticipate was to react to such news. When I woke up that morning, trying to catch up with our routine, a phone call just about to deliver this message was a bane indeed. On hearing the news, I blanked out and found myself in a terrible state of mind, emotions uncontrolled. How much I wanted to run back home and see everyone. How much I wanted to be by S’s side. Coming all the way far, leaving everyone everything seemed so pointless to me. It hit me all the more as I had dreamt about mama a week before he passed away and decided to wait until the weekend to talk to him about my dream, but how unfortunate. I did not hear his voice I did not see him react to my talks, did not hear that “Heg ideeya Putta?” He was so prompt in seeing people off when they travelled – be it his friends or relatives. Each time my dad went abroad, he used to come all the way from Hassan to see him off, but when we left to London, he was caught up with some work and missed meeting each other. I mentioned to Abhi in the airport, that I missed seeing mama before leaving, but always thought would talk to him once we settle in the new place. Well, death is final and leaves you wishing you had said this or done that but you don’t have a second chance. It leaves you with lasting memories.
I am writing a poem that got tears in my eyes at the very first glance. This acts as a healer in such situations. (Thanks to Noon).
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
- Mary Fyre.
He was hale and healthy, young and energetic, firm and caring. He posed to be strict but yet filled with love and affection. He was quiet, yet jovial. He was never in distress until he sensed a shooting pain in his chest causing him to go unconscious within seconds. A massive heart attack took his life away on 31 August 2006 at 11.30 pm. It is incredibly difficult for me to look back and think how my aunt (S), my little cousins, his parents, siblings went through that phase, that pain. S did everything in her capacity to fight the reality, but destiny made it’s choice, giving her no chance to undo his death. It wrenched her to watch him go. We did not see this coming at all. How can you accept someone close to you disappearing into the void all of a sudden? How can this be? How can we let go? Whom do we appeal to justify? The abrupt ending to his life feels so cruel.
When Abhi and I landed here (July 2006), in a new place, miles and miles away from our people, a new world altogether, least we wanted to anticipate was to react to such news. When I woke up that morning, trying to catch up with our routine, a phone call just about to deliver this message was a bane indeed. On hearing the news, I blanked out and found myself in a terrible state of mind, emotions uncontrolled. How much I wanted to run back home and see everyone. How much I wanted to be by S’s side. Coming all the way far, leaving everyone everything seemed so pointless to me. It hit me all the more as I had dreamt about mama a week before he passed away and decided to wait until the weekend to talk to him about my dream, but how unfortunate. I did not hear his voice I did not see him react to my talks, did not hear that “Heg ideeya Putta?” He was so prompt in seeing people off when they travelled – be it his friends or relatives. Each time my dad went abroad, he used to come all the way from Hassan to see him off, but when we left to London, he was caught up with some work and missed meeting each other. I mentioned to Abhi in the airport, that I missed seeing mama before leaving, but always thought would talk to him once we settle in the new place. Well, death is final and leaves you wishing you had said this or done that but you don’t have a second chance. It leaves you with lasting memories.
I am writing a poem that got tears in my eyes at the very first glance. This acts as a healer in such situations. (Thanks to Noon).
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
- Mary Fyre.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
High Thinking and Confidence Personified
Kids today are sharp, outspoken and confident in the way they think and talk. They make you feel so lost when you see them say the right thing but in a different context.
One of my friends told me how his 5 yr old daughter conveniently and confidently answered while he was casually brushing on her lessons.
She is 5 and her class teacher has just finished teaching “capital Letters”, “small Letters” and some “big spellings” (in her mind).
Daddy (my friend) asks his daughter – “spell honey”.
Daughter - “H>O>N>E>Y”.
Daddy - “good" now, "Phone”.
Daughter - “P>H>O>N>E. (For all you know he must have had in his mind thinking that she might end up saying “Fone”).
Well, now daddy tries “England”.
Daughter - “E>N>G>L>A>N>D”.
Daddy - "Wow! Well done, what is the capital of England?" (Dad tries his luck hard here. Don’t know why it struck him to ask her this, may be to check her GK at 5 or something? but anyways…)
Daughter - "E”– with all confidence!
Daddy asks with a confused look – “ E ?”...
Daughter - "Yes, E because the first letter is big and capital always”.
Isn’t this innocent and cute?
One of my friends told me how his 5 yr old daughter conveniently and confidently answered while he was casually brushing on her lessons.
She is 5 and her class teacher has just finished teaching “capital Letters”, “small Letters” and some “big spellings” (in her mind).
Daddy (my friend) asks his daughter – “spell honey”.
Daughter - “H>O>N>E>Y”.
Daddy - “good" now, "Phone”.
Daughter - “P>H>O>N>E. (For all you know he must have had in his mind thinking that she might end up saying “Fone”).
Well, now daddy tries “England”.
Daughter - “E>N>G>L>A>N>D”.
Daddy - "Wow! Well done, what is the capital of England?" (Dad tries his luck hard here. Don’t know why it struck him to ask her this, may be to check her GK at 5 or something? but anyways…)
Daughter - "E”– with all confidence!
Daddy asks with a confused look – “ E ?”...
Daughter - "Yes, E because the first letter is big and capital always”.
Isn’t this innocent and cute?
Monday, 23 July 2007
Some Random Stuff...
A Rat Race
Rats – tiny lil’ creatures are truly unaware of panic they cause. One day, while in the kitchen, I thought I saw a rat trying to gain entry into one of our kitchen cupboards!!!! Eeeeeeeeewww!!....Gosh! I wanted to rather assume that I was hallucinating…but nope! It was real. I was so shocked and felt that my heart beat went off track, couldn’t go with the rhythm. I was scared and went to the lounge leaving things half done.
This was tough….. Mice in London and making a mess, was the last thing I ever imagined. Yup …why not???? They can be everywhere. But wait, why our house??? Aaaah! may be the rat moved into our house thinking it to be a better place, full of rat-type delicacies!!! Well, not that I leave the kitchen area untidy….nope! … (I keep my house clean and take xtra care as we have our landlord monitoring the house every now and then) but… Whatever…. I tried to do a bit of research, until I realised that I was wasting time. My next immediate action was to report to someone who could help me get rid of it ASAP and in the course, my dear darling hubby was disturbed and depressed about the fact that we had a rat at home and feared if it would breed. Finally, managed to get in touch with the Pest Control team and they have these sessions/sittings to drive the poor thing out. Pheeeew! This was quite a race indeed, nevertheless, it all ended happily and we've gotten rid of it now.
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Work-o-holic !!!
Rats – tiny lil’ creatures are truly unaware of panic they cause. One day, while in the kitchen, I thought I saw a rat trying to gain entry into one of our kitchen cupboards!!!! Eeeeeeeeewww!!....Gosh! I wanted to rather assume that I was hallucinating…but nope! It was real. I was so shocked and felt that my heart beat went off track, couldn’t go with the rhythm. I was scared and went to the lounge leaving things half done.
This was tough….. Mice in London and making a mess, was the last thing I ever imagined. Yup …why not???? They can be everywhere. But wait, why our house??? Aaaah! may be the rat moved into our house thinking it to be a better place, full of rat-type delicacies!!! Well, not that I leave the kitchen area untidy….nope! … (I keep my house clean and take xtra care as we have our landlord monitoring the house every now and then) but… Whatever…. I tried to do a bit of research, until I realised that I was wasting time. My next immediate action was to report to someone who could help me get rid of it ASAP and in the course, my dear darling hubby was disturbed and depressed about the fact that we had a rat at home and feared if it would breed. Finally, managed to get in touch with the Pest Control team and they have these sessions/sittings to drive the poor thing out. Pheeeew! This was quite a race indeed, nevertheless, it all ended happily and we've gotten rid of it now.
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Work-o-holic !!!
This picture was taken by some random guy in Amsterdam airport last week. He said that he found it interesting when he saw our pal Abhi - working on his PC, using the trolley as a stand. Abhi is one of those, who would seize every opportunity to work wherever he is. In the picture, if you can see, he has actually moved to a place (close to a power socket), convenient to get his laptop some juice.
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