Lead a healthy life
Posted 10 Apr 2023 | Source: https://epaper.timesgroup.com/
As pandemic instances rise, it’s crucial to stay safe. On this World Health Day, medical experts provide guidance on strengthening immunity, preserving health, and enhancing overall wellbeing
There has never been a time in modern history when all of humanity banded together to fight a virus. Unprecedented attention was also paid to maintaining a good diet, building immunity, exercising, and so on. Over the past three years, people have been discussing quality of life more frequently and placing a higher priority on physical and mental health. On this World Health Day, WHO will commemorate its 75th anniversary. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been instrumental in addressing global health issues and ensuring the health and quality of life of people everywhere.
HEALTH FOR ALL
Every year on April 7, World Health Day is celebrated to create awareness about a specific public health issue affecting the world. The theme this year, Health for All, gains more significance as the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic continues and the country is witnessing a rise in the number of Covid cases. “Health Day observance is an opportunity to raise awareness and promote action towards specific health issues. It helps educate the public about the importance of taking care of their own health and that of those around them. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become even more crucial to observe Health Day and take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of the virus. By promoting healthy behaviours and practises, we can help prevent the spread of not only Covid-19 but also other infectious diseases,” says Dr Preety Agarwal, medical director for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Motherhood Hospital. With a change in the climatic conditions, along with Covid, there are several health ailments affecting the public today.
Dr Swati Rajagopal, consultant, Infectious Diseases, Aster CMI Hospital, shares, “Covid19 has never really disappeared, flu cases were not reported in the last three years as the focus was on Covid-19. More testing would lead to greater detection as there are different variants of the virus. Early detection, testing would enable you to prevent the spread of infection to others. Masks are essential in a closed environment and crowded places. ” According to doctors, the number of people seeking treatment for viral infections cold, cough, and fever, is going up. “Revenge tourism, failure to follow Covid appropriate behaviour would lead to increased infections,” cautions Rajagopal.
VACCINATION MATTERS
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and doctors say that staying safe and improving immunity are essential for overall well-being. Doctors are also unanimous about the effectiveness of the vaccine and suggest that the most effective way to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is to get vaccinated. “I would highly recommend that everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated as soon as possible. Other precautions include wearing masks in public, practising social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding large gatherings. It is also crucial to stay informed about the latest updates on the pandemic and follow the guidelines set by public health authorities,” suggests Agarwal. “Vaccination against influenza and getting the third precautionary dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will certainly reduce the severity of infection,” adds Rajagopal.
BOOSTING IMMUNITY
During the pandemic days, improving immunity became quite popular, and people experimented with various ways to improve the immune system. According to doctors, having a strong immune system helps somewhat avoid a number of health problems. Dr Sheela Murali Chakravarthy, director – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, offers a few ways for strengthening your immune system. “Making getting enough sleep a top priority. Having a wellbalanced diet, regular exercise, proper hydration, and good hygiene practises are important. Stress management, limiting the use of alcohol, and reducing smoking are also essential. Consider having supplements only after consulting with a healthcare professional,” adds Chakravarthy. According to Rajagopal, having a healthy diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants and maintaining good medical records such as stable blood pressure, cardiac status, and diabetes would help in reducing the severity of infection. Individuals who are immuno-suppressed must wear masks to reduce the infection risk.
FOR MOMS AND BABIES
Pregnant women and infants are more vulnerable to health issues, so taking extra precautions is important. Expecting mothers need to take care of themselves to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Agarwal shares some essential things to keep in mind, such as getting regular prenatal care, eating a healthy and balanced diet, staying physically active, getting enough rest, and avoiding risky behaviours such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs. It is also important to communicate any concerns or symptoms with your healthcare provider to ensure prompt treatment and care. Taking care of a new-born baby can be challenging, but there are a few must-dos that can help ensure their health and wellbeing.
“Feeding babies on demand (whether breastfed or formula-fed), ensuring they get enough sleep, keeping them clean and dry, and regularly monitoring their temperature and diaper output. It’s also important to seek medical attention promptly if the baby shows any signs of illness or distress. Additionally, it’s important to give the baby plenty of love, attention, and cuddles to help promote bonding and emotional wellbeing,” adds Agarwal.
