Health Archives - Perfect Skin Care for you

Things to Know About Scleroderma

Published on January 20, 2017 by Swati Leave a Comment

We can officially declare Apollo as our family hospital. For the starters, it is so nearby and easily accessible. It has become a custom for us to visit the hospital once a month at least for some or the other small reason, thankfully nothing serious. It just so happens that Mr. P has the destiny of Mr. Bean. Something or other keeps on happening in his life and I always get embroiled in it. Anyways, I wanted to talk about a very rare disease today called Scleroderma.

Actually, it is an autoimmune condition which comes under rheumatology but it starts from skin. It happened with one of my cousins so dermatologist in Chennai was able to diagnose this condition. You can also take help from internal medicine experts or general physician who will direct you to the concerned departments.

What happens in Scleroderma?

Skin starts becoming tight and shiny

It can be a localized issue or can spread to different parts of the body. If it is localized, you are safe enough but if it is spreading, you might be in trouble. What happens is that there is an overproduction of collagen which makes the skin super glowing but hard.

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Is self-diagnosis a healthy habit?

Published on December 26, 2016 by Swati 6 Comments

Updated on 21st December, 2016

Earlier, we had a cough or cold, we would visit a doc or take a tablet we have been prescribed previously. These days, a minor fever and we are all googling the symptoms to know what it could be. Everyone has become a doctor. Everyone has started self-diagnosis. The information explosion online is more or less responsible for this behavior.

I am sure it irks the doctors that their patients are well able to conduct self-diagnosis and talk knowledgeably. Do not get me wrong. It is good to be aware of your body and your need to understand it. But, may be, somewhere down the line, the information is making us more self-reliant and less trusting of our doctors. Saves us from bad ones but when we actually need treatment, it might end up harming us. It would do us good to remember that not all that information is right and pertinent.

Let me just recount instances when I have obsessively self-diagnosed myself.

Irrationally, I have always been convinced that I have PCOS/PCOD all because of the facial hair. I did visit a gyneac for this!!
Again at some point of time, I started taking too many fluids and visiting the washroom too many times. My mum was staying with me at that time so she asked me if I have developed diabetes. I suddenly became so conscious that I reduced the intake of fluids!! And, started to search for other symptoms of diabetes.
I have done this multiple number of times like when I wanted to find out whether rheumatoid arthritis was genetic or when retina detachment was diagnosed in my eyes.

Thankfully, either of the time I did not really land up with the doctor but it is a serious habit which can have long term implications if it becomes an obsession.

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OZiva Nutritional Meal Shake for Women Product Review

Published on October 25, 2016 by Swati 8 Comments

The nutritional meal shakes are the latest fads in the market. They can be for weight loss, to act as meal replacers or just as protein shakes after a workout or with breakfast. OZiva Nutritional Meal Shake for Women is supposed to be a complete food and provide all the necessary nutrients to the body.

I have taken almost 3 months to review this product and I am glad that I took this time. Had I reviewed it earlier, I would have missed out on analyzing its ingredient list. Recently, I came across another very famous health drinks brand and realized how important it is to read and research on the ingredient list of health drinks.

Consequently, this other famous brand which I am not going to talk about has very poor list of ingredients and is quite expensive on the pocket as well. The contents of the health drink are debated and the jury is out there as is the usual case.

OZiva Nutritional Meal Shake for Women Product Review

Price: Rs 1499 for 500gms

Ingredients

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5 Ways to Improve Immunity with Ayurveda

Published on October 21, 2016 by Swati 7 Comments

Chikungunya and dengue are the most prevalent infections right now, not to speak of the regular allergies. Weather conditions are bad, immunity levels are at all time low, nutrition is not balanced, almost everyone is suffering from joint pains, hospitals are almost full to the brim. Should we not try to improve immunity?

At such times, it is probably a good idea to inculcate the wisdom of the ancients. A few additions to your daily routine and you can help boost your health and improve immunity levels by a zillion times. These simple to use and everyday tweaks may improve your overall immunity as well as may give you hayfever relief. So, lets us see 5 simple ways how ayurveda can helps us.

The Golden Milk

I always used to like a simpler version of this. I am sure all moms prescribe this concoction for any and every small health issue be it cold, cough or insomnia.

Just mix ¼ tbsp of turmeric in hot milk and you are done.

Did you know you can increase the potency of turmeric with black pepper. So, a little of crushed pepper in the above concoction is even better.

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4 Steps towards a Healthy Lifestyle

Published on October 12, 2016 by Swati 2 Comments

Are you over-weight, not leading a healthy lifestyle, hungrier than usual, grumpier, tired all the time, feel the urge to pass water every half hour. Your colleague confides he had the same symptoms and got tested positive for diabetes. You get worried, go and get screened, results are negative for every possible test you got done and you feel elated and relieved.

The lack of healthy lifestyle is making health problems more prevalent in the society. Almost 1 in 3 people suffer from obesity-related problems. 70% Indians are prone to diabetes. Cancer has become a household name. Acidity and bloating are common problems everyone is dealing with. Not all health issues can be handled only through the health insurance. Some just need healthy lifestyle.

How can you have a healthy lifestyle?

#1. Get up Early

For ages, people have been advised to rise before the crack of dawn. The circadian rhythm helps the body to perform its best. It helps reset your body clock in sync with nature.

You are more energized and enthusiastic to take on the day. Your body feels light, you get more time for yourself, and you feel happier than the days you sleep in late.

The key is to stick to this routine even on the weekends and make it an ingrained habit rather than a chore.

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How long do you sleep? {Your Opinion}

Published on October 10, 2016 by Swati 25 Comments

Republished on 10th October, 2016

So, again a fun time 🙂 Yup, I know we are all lazy bums (except those who are really active all day long, kudos to you) who totally love sleeping!! So, what has been happening recently is that my sleeping time is getting stretched way beyond the permissible limits of 8 AM and I am getting late to work every day!!! No, I am not sleeping late either. I am going to bed by 11:45 PM at max. And, whenever I get up before 9 AM, I have a hang over and feel sleepy and tired everyday.

Generally, everyone’s bodies have their own sleep requirements and need respective hours of sleep everyday. Mine is generally 8-9 hours a day and if I sleep later than 11, I tend to sleep more. If I sleep at 9 (sometimes I have to when I get headaches), I am awake by 2 AM which is extremely inconvenient. Also, I prefer not to sleep in the evenings coz it gives me really weird dreams and the night time is entirely screwed. So, I prefer not to stay up late.

Btw, did you know sleeping more has many repercussions on our physical and mental health.

You get fatter
You get lazier
Your metabolism goes for a toss
You feel aimless and without a purpose
You tend to get more depressed and stressed

There are just so many reasons for not sleeping into the late hours of the day. I feel best when I wake up to the early morning sun. Oh btw, getting up early would give you more time to get your vitamin D safely as well.

So, how long do you like to sleep? What’s the minimum time your body needs to rest to wake up fresh?

Vaginal Hygiene {Women Stuff}

Published on September 14, 2016 by Swati 14 Comments

Republished on 14th September, 2016

This is one topic I have been thinking for long to write but was too shy to write 😀 Whether you are married or not, you need to take care of your hygiene. Anyways, lets get on with it.

Hairlessness

Pubic hair is actually a protection for the sensitive area but unfortunately, it also increases the unhygienic conditions. So, its best to get rid of it. Shaving is one of the easiest, painless and safest ways to get rid of the hair.

Brazilian wax is a good alternative if you have the courage to bear the pain. Avoid hair removal creams as they are very harsh on the skin and can cause itching or any other infection.

Make sure its dry

After a bath, when you don the undergarments, make sure that the area is entirely dry. Also, whenever you use the wash room, you can take care that to let the area be dry and undergarments do not get wet. Panty liners are a good choice if you have the issue of discharge.
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