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12 Gym Bag Essentials That You Absolutely Need
Exercising regularly helps us stay healthy and fit. If you are planning to join a gym to finally start exercising, there are certain indispensable things that you need to carry in your gym bag. When you go to a gym, you can't simply take a towel and water bottle. There are many other things that you'll probably need after you are done with your workout sessions or even prior to your workout session. What are these things? Find out!
Workout Essentials - 12 Items You Need In Your Gym
Working out in a gym is not easy. Since you will do it almost every single day, it is important that you keep a list of things that you will need in the gym. Here are some gym bag essentials for the modern men and women for a seamless experience.
1. A Pair of Shoes
At the gym, you are on your feet almost always. So, it is sensible to invest in a good pair of shoes. Wearing comfortable shoes is important to maintain proper posture and for your spine, so make sure to buy a good pair of shoes and keep them in your gym bag. This way, you’ll never forget them at home while walking out wearing flip-flops or sandals.
2. Body Wipes
There will be times when you'll probably get late at the gym and will have no time to take a shower or just to freshen up. Body wipes come in handy at this time and are one of the common gym bag essentials for women. Obviously, they won't substitute for a nice hot shower, but when you are in a hurry and have no other option, body wipes will come as a lifesaver.
3. Headphones
Music is what drives a lot of people to workout. The music in your local gym is probably something that you don’t want to listen to, and it makes sense to pick up a good pair of in-ear or over-the-head headphones. This way, you can listen to your favourite tunes while doing squats and lunges.
4. A Water Bottle
A water bottle is a must have in your gym bag. Opt for a steel or copper bottle and ditch the plastic as it is not good for the health. If you are particular about drinking cold water during workout sessions, you can buy a thermos with capacity for plenty of water. It is important to be hydrated during and after a workout, so make sure to keep this in your bag every day.
5. A Deodorant
All the sweat after a good workout can end up making you smell less than desirable. Make sure to have a deodorant so that you can smell fresh after having a shower. This is especially important if you work in an office with other people around because let’s be honest, you don’t want to be the person with body odour at the workplace.
6. Snacks
A good gym session can leave you feeling hungry quicker than you would anticipate. A gym bag essential includes some snacks that can keep you recharged on the go. You might not always have time for a full breakfast so snacks like fruits, nuts, yoghurt etc. in your bag can help you push yourself until you can spare some time to have a proper meal. Many people just stick to a granola bar which usually holds them for an hour or more. But you can keep all the things mentioned above so that you have plenty of options to eat.
7. Grip Gloves
Gloves come useful if your workout involves lifting weights. They assist in getting a better grip and also make sure that your hands don’t get rough. Pushing and pulling weights can turn the skin of your palm hard. Gloves can go a long way in this case and are essential to have in a gym bag.
8. Armband
If you like to listen to music while running on the treadmill but do not like to keep your phone in your pocket and have it bounce around, you can get an armband. This will help you tie your phone in a strap around your bicep so that you can run without any interruptions. Buy an armband and make it a part of your gym bag to make your life easier.
9. Clothes
This is one of the basic essentials for your gym bag. Make sure to carry workout clothes if you workout in the evening, i.e., after office hours. Similarly, carry office clothes in your bag if you workout in the morning and go to the office straight from the gym. This way when you arrive at the gym, you can change into your gym clothes and start working out. And if you are working out in the morning, then you can take a shower at the gym, get dressed and go to work.
10. Towel
If you are going to the gym, a towel can be very handy even if you don’t take a shower there. You'll probably want to wipe that sweat on your face and entire body. Keep a microfiber towel with you as it absorbs moisture well.
11. A Pair of Socks
You might forget this one, but a pair of socks is essential too. In hotter seasons, if you go to the gym wearing socks, they will probably get wet because of the sweat. If you don't want your feet to smell, it's wise that you keep an extra pair of socks. After taking a shower, just like you wear different clothes every day for work, wear a fresh pair of socks too.
12. Dry Shampoo
Not all gyms come equipped with a shower facility, and it can be very time consuming to go back to your house just to shower. Instead, what many women do is that they buy a dry shampoo and a few sprays, and continue with their day as they normally would. If you are running late and don't have the time to take a shower. body wipes and dry shampoo will help you get through the day with nobody noticing.
After working out for a while, going to the gym becomes a part of your routine and in that routine, it is only common to forget certain things when going for a workout. Therefore, you need to find out the essential things that you need to have in your gym bag and customise that list accordingly. Get that bag ready and jump into your workout with no worries!
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Incredible Health Benefits and Uses of Cocoa Butter
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The health benefits of cocoa butter are known worldwide. Cocoa butter has been used for centuries, being popular for its medicinal properties. The Mayans used it, the Aztecs too, and now restaurateurs all over the world are using it to whip up culinary delicacies. But it’s more than just food and medicine; it’s good for your skin too. To be more specific, the raw butter comes from cocoa beans and since it’s butter, it’s technically fat.
What Is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is butter that is extracted from cocoa beans. The other name for it is Theobroma oil and the butter is used in making chocolates, confectionaries, ointments, cosmetics, and in various pharmaceutical applications. High in antioxidants and jam-packed with various health benefits, using cocoa butter is one of the surest ways to meet 43% of your RDA for fat. Shelf life is another advantage of using cocoa butter since it stays intact for up to 2 to 5 years when stored properly inside the refrigerator.
You also get raw cocoa butter as a grounded powder these days, and the unrefined version comes with zero added chemicals or dilution.
Nutritional Profile of Cocoa Butter
Here’s what you get in terms of fat content and calories when it comes to 100 grams of cocoa butter. Keep in mind that cocoa butter is mostly well known for its fat content and not for a wide variety of nutrients.
Nutrient
Amount (Grams/RDA)
Calories
884 kcal
Carbs
0 g
Fiber
None
Sugar
None
Fat
100 g
Saturated fat
59.7 g
Monounsaturated fat
32.9 g
Polyunsaturated fat
3 g
Omega-3 fatty acids
100 mg
Omega-6 fatty acid
2800 mg
Protein
0 g
Source
Surprising Uses and Benefits of Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter delivers a host of health and nutritional benefits. From taking care of your skin to using cocoa butter for hair, it helps you meet RDA for fat, making it much more than merely a natural superfood. Here’s a list of the surprising cocoa butter health benefits followed by its uses:
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1. Gets Rid of Stretch Marks
Applying unrefined, raw cocoa butter for stretch marks regularly will help diminish their appearance, sometimes going so far as in eliminating them completely. You can use cocoa butter to make body butter and apply it after wetting your skin. It nourishes your skin by supplying it with essential fats and vitamins, leaving it soft, supple, and glowing.
2. Used for Moisturizing Your Scalp
You can use unrefined raw cocoa butter to moisturize your scalp. If you suffer from dull hair, that’ll help eliminate it since it will nourish your hair locks with its host of nutrients. It’s best applied to your hair before you use shampoo and will protect the natural oils on your scalp against hard water.
3. Used As a Deep Conditioner
if you’ve got frizzy hair or a dry scalp, you can use cocoa butter to condition it deeply. You have to leave it on for a few hours after showering and rinse it later. Make sure you melt the butter until it turns oily, and comb through your hair with this.
4. Prevents Free Radical Damage
Free radical damage caused by oxidative stress is one of the biggest causes of ageing. Too much stress in your body leads to premature greying of your hair. To prevent this, just eat some raw cocoa butter every day and incorporate it in your recipes. It will heal your body internally and fight against f free radicals, thus eliminating wrinkles, age spots, and dark areas on your skin.
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5. Helps for Sensitive Skin Types and Acne Scars
For those who have sensitive skin, we’ve got good news for you. Cocoa butter work and doesn’t cause any side effects. It’s soothing on your skin, and it also helps get rid of acne scars slowly. If you use it regularly, it’ll also hydrate your skin and improve its texture too.
6. Eliminates Chapped Lips
One of the biggest advantages of cocoa butter is it is effective in healing chapped lips. Raw cocoa butter uses have a myriad of applications in lip balms and skin care products. You can combine them with essential oils like grapefruit, peppermint, or spearmint oil for achieving smooth and supple lips. Additionally, hydrating your lips with cocoa butter protects it from sun damage.
7. Heals Rashes, Burns, and Skin Infections
If you’ve got any rashes, burns, or skin infections, you can heal your skin by rubbing some cocoa butter on the affected spots. You have to make sure there are no added ingredients and that you’re using raw, unrefined, natural cocoa butter. It’s also useful in healing skin eczema and dermatitis and reduces inflammation, too. When cocoa butter for skin is combined with tea tree oil, it rapidly heals rashes and sensitive skin conditions.
8. Treats Mouth Sores
If you get blisters in your mouth, you can get rid of them by applying some raw cocoa butter to those spots. This is one of the lesser-known raw cocoa butter uses.
9. Useful as a Shaving Cream
Ditch your commercial shaving creams and start using raw cocoa butter for a smooth and flawless shave. It hydrates your skin, is gentle, and is best used after showering. Make sure you shower with warm water before using it. You can use it for aromatherapy, too, by combining it with various essential oils and taking it in.
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10. Boosts Cardiovascular Health
Plant-based saturated fats are known to be beneficial in regulating cholesterol levels in the body. What you want is more “good” cholesterol and less “bad cholesterol”. Polyphenolic compounds are found in raw cocoa butter, which helps reduce inflammation, thus lowering one’s risk of atherosclerosis. However, dried cocoa powder has a higher density of nutrients when compared to butter when it comes to polyphenol content.
11. Gives Your Immune System A Boost
Cocoa butter has been shown to strengthen one’s immune system, according to research. It lowers your inflammation markers, fights against cellular mutations and DNA damage, and combats autoimmune disorders, which are the cause of chronic fatigue. There’s research that backs this up, and here’s the bonus – it’s also good for your hormones and cognitive health.
12. Improves Blood Flow to Your Skin
Since cocoa butter is high in phytochemicals, it ends up boosting blood circulation to your skin. This means you get a natural glow and have fewer chances of getting fine lines, saggy skin and wrinkles. It improves your skin elasticity, too, when rubbed all over. With better blood circulation to your skin, also means you’ll be able to perform better and experience increased energy levels. The fat content in cocoa butter also gives your metabolism a nice boost.
13. Makes You Feel Happier
Consuming cocoa butter in its raw and purest form has been shown to raise serotonin and endorphin levels in your body. This improves your mood and makes you feel happier. There’s a reason chocolate is famous, and now you know why. The magnesium content in cocoa butter is also responsible for regulating progesterone levels in your body, thus effectively preventing mood swings and beating depression. You can use raw cocoa butter to make your very own homemade chocolate.
And here’s a fun fact: Did you know that cocoa nibs are a by-product of raw cocoa butter? Yes!
How to Make Cocoa Butter at Home?
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Thinking of brewing up your own cocoa butter? Don’t worry; it’s easy! And it’s good for you, too, since it’s completely natural.
Ingredients
Harvested cocoa pods or raw cocoa beans
Method
For this, you’ll just need a few harvested cocoa pods or raw cocoa beans. Raw cocoa beans are extracted from the pods. All you have to do is get the beans out (which are white in colour) and dry them out in the sun
After they’re dried up, just press them hard and extract the oil
Bring the oil to a boil in a pan, stirring occasionally
Use a strainer to filter out any dust or dirt
Pour this oil into a container and refrigerate
You’ll see it turn into raw cocoa butter. When you’re ready to use, cut the butter into different shapes or melt and apply it wherever you want. You can use the oil as a dressing or butter for making homemade chocolates and sweets.
Things to Remember while Consuming Cocoa Butter
There are a couple of things to remember when consuming cocoa butter-
1. Take It In Moderation
If you’re adding it to your diet, it’s advisable you don’t go overboard with it since it’s high in calories. If you’re suffering from obesity, watching your calories, or simply trying to lose weight, cut down on it or replace it with low-calorie vegetable oil alternatives
2. It’s Still Fat
Although it’s a healthy fat, it’s still fat. If you’re suffering from heart conditions and your doctor has advised you to watch your fat intake, then it’s a good idea to avoid it.
3. It is Not a Significant Source of Nutrients
Cocoa butter is loaded with different types of plant-based fats. When it comes to nutrition, it doesn’t pack a lot of punch. You will have to eat your greens and other food groups to make up for the gaps.
FAQs
Here are a few questions asked by readers about cocoa butter and their relevant answers below.
1. What’s the Difference Between Refined & Unrefined Cocoa Butter?
Refined cocoa butter is processed and has its colour and scent removed. Unrefined cocoa butter is butter extracted straight from the beans without any further processing, additives, or additional substances.
2. Can I Use Cocoa Butter Instead of Shea Butter?
Yes, you can use cocoa butter instead of shea butter. Just like shea butter, cocoa butter acts as an effective moisturizer, has anti-inflammatory properties, softens the skin, and is high in vitamins E and K.
When you start using cocoa butter every day for your skincare routine or nutrition, you’ll slowly begin noticing the changes. You’ll have to give it time and remember to watch your calories if you’re planning to eat it. Cocoa butter can be used for making chocolates and homemade recipes and is a lot healthier than store-bought confectionaries. You’ll find that for those having sweet teeth, it’s a definite plus.
References:
Scapagnini. G, Davinelli. S, Di Renzo. L, et al.; Cocoa Bioactive Compounds: Significance and Potential for the Maintenance of Skin Health; Nutrients; MDPI; https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/8/3202/htm; August 2014
Oil, cocoa butter; FoodData Central; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171421/nutrients; April 2019
Wang. M, Wei. Y, Ji. B, Nielsen. J; Advances in Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Cocoa Butter Equivalent Production; Front Bioeng Biotechnol.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33178680/; October 2020
Quek .RYC, Peh. EWY, Henry. CJ; Effects of Cocoa Butter and Cocoa Butter Equivalent in a Chocolate Confectionery on Human Blood Triglycerides, Glucose and Insulin; Foods.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32276375/; April 2020
Khan. N, Khymenets. O, Urpí-Sardà. M, et al.; Cocoa polyphenols and inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease. Nutrients.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24566441/; February 2014
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8 Common Diseases in Cats That Every Cat Owner Must Know
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Cats are beautiful animals that many people have fallen in love with and choose to have as pets. They are small and easy to look after and are most famous for their aloof personalities and graceful demeanour. As with any pet, it is important to see to their needs to ensure that they are in the best of health to be able to get the best out of the relationship.
8 Most Common Cat Diseases and Infections
Here are some cat illnesses that every cat owner must know about:
1. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
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This slow-acting virus weakens the immune system over time, so the symptoms of this disease do not show up until years after it was initially contracted.
Signs
Dishevelled coat
Weight loss
Poor appetite
Anaemia
Enlarged lymph nodes
Fever
Diarrhoea
Inflammation in eyes, mouth and gums
Discharge from eyes or nose
Sneezing
Urinating outside the litter box or frequent urination
Skin problems like redness or hair loss
Treatment
A healthy diet will be recommended so that your cat stays at the peak of health and have relevant medication for the secondary infections that occur. Electrolyte or fluid replacement therapy, parasite control, anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that enhance immunity are some of the treatments available for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
2. Feline Rabies
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Rabies is a central nervous system that transfers through the bite of the infected. There are three stages of development that it goes through, prodromal, furious and paralytic. After getting bit, symptoms will take about twelve weeks to show.
Signs
Increased yowling
Poor coordination
Excessive drooling
Conjunctivitis
Strange behaviour like eating stones or fighting imaginary foes
Unusual irritability
Cat Vomiting
Fever
Weight loss
Depression
Lack of appetite
Deep breathing or respiratory failure
Treatment
There is no treatment available for this feline rabies and the only way to prevent it is to ensure that your cat has been given anti-rabies vaccines.
3. Feline Panleukopenia
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Also known as feline distemper, this viral disease is extremely contagious amongst cats and works by killing off all the defence systems of the body.
Signs
Dehydration
Diarrhea
High fever
Rough fur coat
Anemia
Loss of appetite
Neurological symptoms
Depression
Treatment
Fluid treatment, antibiotics, B-Vitamins and anti-nausea medications are used to treat cats suffering from this disease.
4. Feline Herpes Virus
Also known as Feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, this virus is one of the main cat disorders responsible for developing upper body congestion.
Signs
Cat eye diseases like conjunctivitis
Attacks of sneezing
Ulcers in the eyes
Lesions around the eyes, even appearing in the eyes
Discharge from the eyes and nose
Congestion
Loss of appetite
Fever
Lethargy
Squinting
Drooling
Depression
Treatment
Oral antibiotics and antiviral medications are prescribed by vets to help treat any of the symptoms that your cat shows. Ointments or drops may also be prescribed to help relieve your cat of the uncomfortable eye problems that occur.
5. Upper Respiratory Infections
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Often, this term is used to describe a number of problems that cause the same type of symptoms in your cat, that is, those that affect the throat and nose of the cat. Upper Respiratory Infections are a very common affliction in kittens and is highly contagious.
Signs
Nasal discharge
Fever
Conjunctivitis
Coughing
Rapid breathing
Drooling
Gagging
Runny eyes
Loss of appetite
Hoarse voice
Sores in the nose and mouth
Treatment
Managing the symptoms of this disease is focused on, and ointments or drops for the eyes are often prescribed. While this disease is caused by a virus, antibiotics are also prescribed as bacterial infections are often a secondary infection that occurs along with it. If your cat is not eating or drinking, he may need to be kept at the vets and given drips.
6. Renal Failure
Renal failure in cats usually refers to kidney problems that your cat may face. With age, your cat’s kidneys may begin to fail, though there are some kittens who may even be born with this problem. If this disease is caught in the early stages, it is treatable, but once the disease progresses, treatment becomes harder.
Signs
Frequent urination or urinating outside the litter box
A lot of water consumption
Weight loss
Infections by bacteria in the kidneys and bladder
Vomiting and bloody or cloudy urine
Diarrhoea and constipation
Indifference to what is happening around
Weakness
Ulcers in the mouth
Treatment
Depending on how severe this renal failure is, your vet will suggest the appropriate treatments for your cat. These can include IV treatments and specialised diets to surgeries to remove any blockages that may be present. Cats with this problem will benefit greatly from a diet that is rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin D.
7. Feline Leukaemia Virus
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This infectious disease is seen as one of the most important when it comes to cat diseases across the world. It often manifests itself through anaemia, immunosuppression and malignancies in cats and, apart from trauma, is the leading killer of cats as it causes them to become prone to other deadly illnesses as well.
Signs
Yellow colour in the white of the eyes and mouth
Pale gums
Upper respiratory problems
Cat skin diseases
Weakness and lethargy that progresses slowly
Breathing problems
Fever
Diarrhoea
Stomatitis, a gum disease
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Enlarged lymph nodes
Unspayed female cats will have problems with fertility
Treatment
There is no treatment that helps to get rid of the disease itself, so the secondary infections that may arise as a result of this disease are often treated.
8. Heartworm
This problem is caused by the parasitic roundworm that we know as the heartworm. The severity of the condition really depends on how many heartworms have infested your cat and how the cat responds to it. This spreads through the bite of mosquitoes that are carrying the larvae of heartworms.
Signs
Laboured breathing
Coughing
Vomiting
Respiratory problems
Irregular heart rhythm
Treatment
Prevention is easier than cure in this case, and the treatment for heartworms is a long and painful one. Keeping your cat healthy through the right diet, play and other environmental factors such as ensuring that there is no room for mosquitoes to breed near where your cat stays. Sometimes, if the infestation is very severe, your vet may decide to opt for surgical removal of the same. Medications to help kill the adult worms and the offspring will also be given.
Though these diseases may leave you worried, ensure that your cat is fed the best diet and is taken care of very well. Take your kitten for regular check-ups at the vet, and you will not have anything to worry about.
References:
1. The Most Common Diseases & Infections in Cats; Animals Matter to Me; https://www.amtmindia.org/the-most-common-diseases-infections-in-cats/?psafe_param=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsCgBhDEARIsAE7RYh3xiSwMFgtyte2JOfoJTEaUlxDrk2IGGYmC9HzrZhkvJVyThUINyIEaAuGGEALw_wcB; August 2022
2. Common Cat Diseases; ASPCA; https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-diseases
3. Jim Scott; 24 COMMON CAT DISEASES & HEALTH PROBLEMS [PLUS SYMPTOM GUIDE]; Rawz; https://rawznaturalpetfood.com/common-cat-diseases/
4. 5 Common Cat Illnesses and What You Need to Know; Drake Center; https://www.thedrakecenter.com/services/cats/blog/5-common-cat-illnesses-and-what-you-need-know
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Paediatric Medulloblastoma
Cancer in children is an unfortunate but harsh reality that some parents must deal with. Though cancer may sound like a death knell for some people, there have been rapid advances in medicine that offer hope. This is because people with cancers that were fatal a decade ago have a high survival rate when the cancer is detected early. This article is going to focus on paediatric Medulloblastoma which is a type of brain cancer in children.
What is Medulloblastoma?
Medulloblastoma is a cancerous brain tumour that can begin while the child is still a foetus. It affects the bottom region of the brain that specializes in motor/cognitive functions and often spreads down to the spinal cord. If the tumour disseminates without being checked, it can lead to death. Fortunately, there have been many advances in medicine, mainly on the surgical front, and has helped to raise the survival rate to 70-80% (early treatment).
How Common is Medulloblastoma in Children?
Medulloblastoma is relatively rare when compared to the other illnesses suffered by children. This can be gaged by the fact that there are many types of brain tumours that afflict children at the rate of about 2.5-4 per lakh children. Out of these brain tumour cases, eighteen percent of the cases are attributed to medulloblastoma. 60% of Medulloblastoma cases end up as clinical trials due to vast potential in finding new treatments options that can manage a cancerous tumour.
Stages of Medulloblastoma Tumour
The responsible tumour is categorized into stages to help assess what treatment option is best suitable for the child.
1. Standard Risk Tumour
These are tumours that are still in their nascent stage and have not spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord. In most cases, these tumours can be completely removed or removed to such an extent that only slightly more than half an inch remains.
2. High-Risk Tumour
These tumours have normally spread to other parts of the brain and spine. Tumours that are more than 1.5 cm even after surgery are also put in this group.
3. Recurrent Tumour
This tumour is one which re-appears despite treatment. Just like other cancers, this is possible for medulloblastoma as well. While your child being successfully treated is a source of joy, it is good to have follow-ups to see if a tumour has grown again. Early detection means that a recurrent tumour can be successfully nipped in the bud.
Lumbar Puncture: Signs and Symptoms
Medulloblastoma mainly affects the Cerebellum and so results in a deterioration of those functions handled by it such as:
Poor Vision
Reduced motor function which can affect complex actions such as writing.
Poor balance accompanied by dizziness and difficulty in moving from one room to another.
Once the medulloblastoma spreads to, the symptoms can change with problems that crop up such as:
Inability to control the excretory system and unintended releasing of the bowels.
Pain in the back.
Diagnosis
If your child displays any of the above symptoms, please head to a reputed hospital as a clinic would be ill-prepared to handle such a case. The doctor who is referred is a paediatric oncologist who specializes in these matters. The following tests are done to understand what type of a tumour your child is dealing with and the appropriate treatment required.
Neurological Exam
This constitutes a physical examination where the doctor will assess the motor function of your child. A review will also be done of your child’s family history to investigate the extent of the disease.
MRI Scan
Using radio waves and magnetic fields, the doctors can map out the brain in high resolution without subjecting the brain to ionizing radiation.
Biopsy
This is when a small sample of the tumour tissue is extracted from the body to be examined by a pathologist. This can be done mainly through surgery.
Lumbar Puncture
In this procedure, your child would be given an anaesthetic after which an injection is inserted into the spinal canal to collect the fluid. This spinal fluid is analysed and checked for tumour markers and cancer cells.
Risk Factor Associated with a Higher Risk of Medulloblastoma
While the exact cause of Medulloblastoma has not been discovered as of now, doctors have been able to identify some groups that have a higher risk of getting Medulloblastoma. This includes:
Gender
Boys have a slightly higher chance of developing a malignant (cancerous) tumour with a ratio of 1.8:1 when compared to girls.
Age
80 % of all cases of Medulloblastoma occurs in children who are yet to complete 15 years of age. Out of this, about 50% of the cases took place in children who were less than 6 years old.
Genetics
Though most medical studies have confirmed that there is no genetic connection, some people who have Gorlin’s syndrome or Turcot syndrome may develop Medulloblastoma.
Treatment
Below are some of the treatment options available. All o the risks and side effects so please discuss with your oncologists in detail so that you can make an informed decision.
Surgery
This procedure involves removing a part of the skull (craniotomy) to get to the tumour. There has been a quantum leap in the surgical equipment used such as cortical mapping which helps surgeons steer clear of sensitive regions of the brain.
Radiotherapy
This employs the use of radiation to kill the cancerous cells. One of the major drawbacks of this procedure is that it cannot differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells, killing all in its path. Proton therapy is a popular therapy that is used as its precise delivery of radiation causes minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
Chemotherapy
This is the use of drugs or medicines to finish of the tumour cells. It is used as a second line of attack to kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery. Many use this form of treatment in addition to radiotherapy as well. It is administered through IV or a pill form.
Stem Cell Transplant
This form of therapy involves the removal of stem cells from the child’s body prior to chemotherapy/radiotherapy and its subsequent re-introduction. This method becomes handy when children need to go through rigorous amounts of radiation or chemotherapy. High doses of radiation is known to destroy the stem cells, therefore the absence of stem cells during the therapy will prevent its destruction and can then be safely infused into the child’s body.
Immunotherapy
This type of cancer treatment works on the principle of using your child’s antibodies to destroy the cancer cells. It is relatively safe and has fewer side effects when compared to traditional cancer killers like radiation and chemotherapy. However, much of this is still in the clinical trial phase and will take some time to before it is available for everyone.
Side Effects of Treatment
For a child with Medulloblastoma, life expectancy can often depend on the severity of the side effects. Methods such as radiation for instance, may be too strong for a child of a tender age to handle.
Paralysis
Aggressive chemotherapy treatments such as the Milan protocol are known to cause paralysis in children from the neck down. While minimizing the tumour, the treatment can also cause the nerve cells in the brain and spine to die.
Skin Problems
Radiotherapy leaves many patients with dark, dry and itchy skin once treatment begins. This will linger on until a few weeks after treatment. Some of the remedies for this include:
Avoid putting perfumes that has contact your child’s skin.
They can wear loose garments and avoid anything too tight.
Apply a good moisturizer on their skin every day to combat the dry skin.
Temporary Side Effects
Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy have many short-term side effects such as hair-loss, dry mouth, fatigue and tiredness. Your child will quickly recover from these once the afore-mentioned therapies are completed.
Long-term Side Effects
Cancer survivors from radiation and chemotherapy may have long term neurological damage. This could affect their memory, cognitive ability and problems with growth.
Taking Care of a Child with Medulloblastoma
Palliative Care
While treatment goes on, your child would go through side effects of the symptoms that can be painful and traumatising. Most cancer centres come equipped with physiotherapists, dieticians and counsellors who can help improve the quality of life of your child. Relaxation techniques, proper nutrition as well emotional support can ensure a satisfactory recovery.
Terminal Care
If the tumour has progressed too far with little chance of recovery, it is important to have an open conversation with the doctors involved. Many of them have been trained to deal with these situations and would provide valuable council during this time. Keeping your child out of pain should be the primary objective along with ensuring that their lives continue to be as normal as possible. This means arranging for part time school if possible and being allowed to be socially active.
Early diagnosis of the disease can often lead to a good prognosis. As a parent, it is important that you guide your child through this difficult time in their life. Apart from the treatment itself, palliative care can significantly strengthen not just your child but your entire family.
Also Read:
Meningitis in Children
Brain Tumours In Kids Read more
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Breastfeeding vs Bottle Feeding - Its Effect on Oral Health
We all know the advantages of breastfeeding vs bottle feeding in terms of nutrition, immunity, etc. Breast milk has several systemic and immunological advantages over proprietary formulas - breast milk is rich in IgA, IgG, IgM antibodies, it contains various cellular elements like lymphoid cells, plasma cells, various growth factors, lysozymes, etc. which play a significant role in building immunity at an early age.
But today as a dentist I want to focus on some facts related to dentistry in the context of breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Breastfeeding stimulates the muscles around the oral cavity of a baby, which helps in the normal growth of teeth and jaws. Breastfeeding allows milk flow on-demand, thus making the muscles around the tongue and teeth to work more during the sucking process so they are exercised. This encourages the development of well-formed jaws and healthy teeth.
During bottle feeding, the muscles around the mouth don't have to work very hard. Hence, the normal development of teeth and jaws may get affected. The milk flows continuously from the bottle, so the muscles don't get any strenuous exercise.
Thus, feeding practices also play an important role in the oral growth of the baby at an early age.
Many parents are not aware of the fact that oral hygiene practices are essential at an early age. These practices include:
The proper cleaning of gum pads within the first week of the baby's birth
Parents should bring their child for the first dental visit by the time the baby is 6 months of age
The child should not be put to bed with the bottle or the breast at night. It is also important to clean the gums (and later, teeth) with a cloth or brush after the last meal before sleep.
Remember that oral health is an integral part of the total health of the child.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Today’s Kids Fall Sick Often - Change This with 3 Steps!
The field of medicine has seen a drastic progress in the recent years with more and more vaccinations and treatments available for various diseases. Yet, our children are more vulnerable to diseases today. What is the reason?
As parents, many of us tend to compare – how things used to be when we were children vs. how they are in the modern world. It is true that a lot of things have changed for the better, and kids now have more opportunities as well as self-assurance. But there’s one thing that has deteriorated big-time. Even though our children can now get better medical care, their need to avail it also seems to have increased. The health and immunity level of our kids is far worse than it used to be earlier.
So, what has changed? What is the cause behind an increase in the frequency of diseases and ailments in children? According to child development experts, there is one major reason that can be tied back to why the new generation is more vulnerable to diseases – lack of outdoor play! This may come across as surprising, but reduced outdoor play has been identified as a trigger for making children more susceptible to falling ill. Yes, the simple fact that our kids are not playing outdoors enough is affecting their health and it can be tackled in 3 simple steps.
Tips to Ensure Effective & Safe Outdoor Play for Children
To encourage your child to engage in safe outdoor play, some simple tips can be followed every day:
1. Limit screen time
Add a time limit to any sort of screen time your little one has. Don’t allow screen time of more than one hour for kids in the age group of 2-5 years and disallow screen time for children under 2 years. Actively plan playground time and outdoor activities on a daily basis. This can include going to the park, taking the dog for a walk, collecting stones outside, etc. Enforce outdoor play every day for a minimum of 30-45 mins.
2. Reduce your child’s mental stress and pressure
Limit your child’s productive activities (hobby classes) excluding school to one at a time, whenever possible. Make sure that your child has time for some free, unstructured play outdoors. Giving your child the freedom to choose how he spends his time and encouraging him to pay outdoors will work to give him a healthy mind and soul. When they have lesser mental stress, their productivity and focus will also increase. In fact, there's an increasing evidence that exposure to nature regularly reduces risk of mental health issues and is therapeutic for existing mental health issues.
3. Ensure your child’s safety outdoors
While sending our child outdoors, we strive to ensure that he is physically protected. We do this by making sure to take all safety measures and use safety equipment for outdoor activities like riding bikes or playing in the park. But don’t forget to also protect children from hidden dangers that can be even more dangerous. Two important risks you should guard against are:
Spread of Mosquitoes: Cases of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya are seeing a rapid increase in India. Do not overlook this fact. Kids are at high risk of being bitten during outdoor play since mosquitoes are usually active in the evening time. Dab 4 dots of GoodKnight Fabric Roll-On onto their clothes to repel mosquitoes and provide protection for upto 8 hours. This roll-on is completely natural and child-safe so you can use it without the fear of any side effects. It is recommended to use mosquito repellent whenever your children venture outdoors, such as for a picnic or on a day out with friends.
Did You Know: Some people are more prone to mosquito bites due to a range of reasons. For example, mosquitoes are attracted to warmer bodies and the compounds present in sweat! They also locate people through the amount of carbon dioxide they exhale. This is why your child, who has been running around in a playground, is the perfect target.
Air Pollution: Increasing air pollution is the leading cause of a rise in respiratory and breathing problems in kids. Tackle pollution on a long-term basis in your neighbourhood by planting trees and pushing for awareness and action to keep the environment clean. This will also help in preventing the spread of diseases. Involving your children in these activities will further promote their development and sensitise them to their surroundings.
Safety from ‘Stranger Danger’: There are certain ways you can protect your child from ‘Stranger Danger’ and keep him safe. Living life in fear is not going to benefit your child. A certain amount of freedom to explore is necessary for him to develop as an individual.
Why Has Outdoor Play Time Reduced?
Outdoor play was an essential part of our childhood and we want our children to experience the same joy too! But due to a number of reasons, today’s children are spending lesser time playing outside than ever before. In fact, as per a recent study, today’s children spend only half the time their parents did playing outdoors. There are four main reasons behind this:
1. Increased screen time
With increasing access to technology, many kids prefer spending time on TV, tablets and mobiles instead of going to the park. The experiences and choices of our kids are increasingly getting shaped by technology.
2. Increase in competition and pressure
Another major reason for lack of outdoor play is the pressure on kids to spend their free time in ‘productive activities’ and acquire more and more skills. This pressure stems from the stiff competition our children face in school, among peers, etc. Not only can this pressure and competition lead to anxiety but can also cause various issues in kids like drug & alcohol addiction, chronic depression, etc. which can have adverse effects on children.
3. Parents’ fears about germs, pollution and mosquitoes
We as parents also contribute to this negative trend of reduced outdoor play. With increasing levels of pollution and contamination, we are afraid that children will get infected by germs or bitten by mosquitoes while playing outside. No wonder, since the mosquito is responsible for most human deaths worldwide. This leads to a tendency to keep children indoors in an over-sanitised environment. But, according to science, keeping your child’s environment ‘dirt-free’ might actually be hurting his immune system! It can even result in an increased risk of asthma and other respiratory problems.
4. Increased fear regarding crimes against children:
With an increase in crime rates against children, this fear is completely valid. There was a 5.#% increase in crimes against children from 2014 to 2015 as per the NCRB – a worrying trend for all parents.
Watch: As kids are starting school at an earlier age and school days are becoming longer, play time is becoming more and more important. Why is recess necessary?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qdW48BqSmU
Key Takeaway: Learn the different aspects of your child’s development that outdoor play helps with and how it benefits them in the long run.
Health Risks Associated with Lack of Outdoor Play
Your child's health needs to be your first priority and the concerns arising from letting your child play outdoors are valid too. But the reduced time spent playing outdoors has taken a toll on the physical and mental health of our children.
1. Weak immune system
Lack of outdoor play has taken away our children’s exposure to good bacteria. Such over-sanitization affects the development of their immunity systems. A weak immune system reduces the body’s ability to fight off germs and thus makes kids more prone to infections. These infections can even turn fatal as can be seen in the leading cause of deaths across the world where as per WHO, approximately 3.2 million deaths each year are due to insufficient physical activity.
2. Reduced cognitive development
Our kids are losing out on precious time for free and unstructured play in the outdoors. This is necessary not only for strengthening immunity, but also for boosting cognitive development
3. Less effective social skills
Reduced outdoor play also means less time spent socializing with other children. This, coupled with dependence on screens, has been linked to many social and emotional problems in young children.
It’s time to step up and let your child have the freedom and exposure you had when you were younger. This will help him build his health and immunity - no compromise! After all, health is wealth! Read more
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
10 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
9 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
needs proper follow-up for this
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
8 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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