Dr. Amey Sonavane - Gastroenterology/ GI Medicine

Rich in antioxidants, an overripe banana is the best remedy to slow down cell damage and improve the body's immunity. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which steal electrons from molecules and damage cells in the process.

Best time to have banana - In the morning along with breakfast cereals
Should you have banana on an empty stomach - No
When to avoid banana - After dinner.

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&Donts

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people, mainly children, every year. Malaria's symptoms are caused by parasites and not mosquitoes. Malaria is transmitted when infected mosquitoes bite and inject malaria parasites into their human victim.
Here are some preventive measures you can take to control malaria and stop it from spreading further.
1. Wear full sleeve protective clothing.
2. Spray mosquito repellents.
3. Use a mosquito net at night as mosquitoes get active during the night and pose a higher risk.
4. Keep your home and surroundings clean without junk, waste, or stagnant water.
5. As soon as you find any possible signs of malaria, consult your doctor immediately.

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The common GERD sign is the sensation of a lump in your throat.
Can you guess better now?

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Blazing heat and energy-sapping humidity can spell doom on your health in summer. So make sure you are correctly armed with a nutritious diet to fight off summer meltdown!
Include water-rich fruits in your diet. One of our seasonal favourites is Watermelon. Being a rich source of Vitamin A, it is good for your eyes and immunity. In addition, citrulline plays an important role in the synthesis of nitric oxide, which helps lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. Potassium aids in crucial heart functions, improves muscle work, and strengthens bones.
Make a salad with fresh sprouts or nuts, or juice it up with a pinch of rock salt; Watermelon can energise you right away with a dash of much needed freshness anytime of the day.

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It deals with the A, B, Cs of Liver Health!
Can you guess?

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Excessive bruising, prolonged and heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia), unexplained nosebleeds, and extended bleeding after minor cuts are signs of Haemophilia, a disorder to form a proper blood clot. Out of the 13 major clotting factors in the body, if anyone is deficient or defective, it can lead to mild, moderate, or severe haemophilic conditions. More than 1,36,000 people have Haemophilia in India, and many suffer because of ignorance. So, let us raise awareness to fight Haemophilia together as a community.

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On average, people pass gas between 12 and 20 times in 24 hours, while those suffering from gastrointestinal diseases can pass it up to 200 times per day. Therefore, excessive farting may signify a more serious medical condition and can impact your quality of life if not addressed in time.

Causes
Swallowing excessive air has far-reaching effects on the body's digestive process. And this is only one of the reasons why many people suffer from gastrointestinal disorders. Chewing gum, sucking on objects like pen tops, drinking aerated beverages, & smoking cause excessive swallowing of air.

Passing too much gas could be a side effect of the foods you eat. Grains, beans, dairy products, and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli seem particularly troublesome. In addition, some people have more sensitive digestive systems than others. Therefore, if your body is easily irritated by certain foods, you may experience excessive flatulence.

If you are passing large amounts of gas, despite eating a healthy diet and not swallowing excessive air, you should consult your doctor to check for underlying medical conditions Constipation, IBS, celiac disease, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, dumping syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), autoimmune pancreatitis & peptic ulcers.

If you're concerned about flatulence, connect with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.

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Morning nausea can happen to anyone besides pregnant women. It's a symptom of poor work-life balance, sleep disorders, alcohol addiction, chronic stress, obesity issues, and dehydration. There is nothing to be alarmed about, though.
For effective remedy, reach out to a specialist and get checked.

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Did you know a pregnant woman is at higher risk of delivering a premature baby if she contracts COVID-19? That's why it's vital that expecting mothers and family members stay alert and take extreme care to prevent COVID-19. Avoid social functions and crowded spaces, wear a mask, and sanitise regularly to keep the baby healthy and safe.

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With Precaution, Prevention, Practice, & Preparation, we can achieve multiple health goals! Play your part to raise your standards and awareness to protect the collective health of the world community.

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Bad breath doesn't stem from bad oral hygiene only. Though the foul smell emits from the mouth, the problem could be somewhere in your gut.
Food sensitivity can cause stomach acid and lead to bad breath. Even kidney infection or chronic disease can cause bad breath or halitosis.

GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease leads to excess acid production in the digestive tract, one of the most common causes of stinking mouth odour.

Ulcers: the H.pylori bacteria that causes peptic ulcers and dyspepsia contribute to bad breath.

Bowel obstruction leads to difficulty in passing stool. And as no waste matter can be dispelled, the body starts producing foul odour which escapes from the mouth.

Kidney disease can lead to an ammonia-like mouth odour. Get checked immediately.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is also very important.
- Brush after heavy meals.
- Gurgle with water after consuming sugary food.
- Use a mouth freshener to dispel odour.
- Get checked immediately to understand the root cause of bad breath.

Prevention of any disease starts with awareness. Here's a quiz to check yours. So share your answers, and don't forget to tag your friends and family.

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Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that helps our body absorb iron. Because the body can't produce or retain Vitamin C, it should be included in everyday diet.

However, overdosing on Vitamin C can be harmful. According to standard medicine, the recommended vitamin dose for an adult is 65 - 90 mg per day.

Talk to a nutritionist to regulate vitamin C amounts and avoid overdosing.

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When the gut lining that protects the small intestine gets damaged, undigested gluten, food particles and harmful bacteria may enter the bloodstream and cause serious infections.
This condition, in medical terms, is called a leaky gut.

The 5 red flags that indicate a leaky gut are:
- Repeat episodes of anxiety, depression and mood disorders
- Disturbing sleep patterns and extreme fatigue
- Inflammation and severe joint pain
- Skin rashes and eczema
- Bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and food intolerance

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Gingerol, the main bioactive compound of ginger, makes it one of the healthiest spices with multiple proven health benefits. Gingerol has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can cure seasonal cough and cold.

Other Benefits
- Aids better digestion
- Prevents nausea
- Combats soreness and fungal infections
- Can help reduce osteoarthritis symptoms
- Lower blood sugar levels and LDL, and
- Can protect against age-related brain damage.

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Rare diseases affect almost 300 million people globally and can be categorised as chronic, progressive and life-threatening. While 72% of rare diseases stem from genetic conditions, other factors that can trigger RD in early childhood are bacterial & viral infections. With 6000 types identified, medical research inclines to believe that rare diseases in most reported cases start in early childhood.

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1. Gut & Autoimmune Diseases - The Connection
Did you know that the gut microbiome monitors and controls autoimmune diseases? While bacteria are found almost throughout the body, like the oral cavity, placenta, skin and privates, most of them colonize the gastrointestinal tract. An imbalance, or as we medially call it, a dysbiosis between the good and bad bacteria, are associated with numerous autoimmune diseases like lupus, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis.

2. Interesting facts about autoimmune diseases
- More common in women than in men, especially the childbearing years
- Certain ethnic groups are more susceptible than others.
- Asian women are more likely to develop lupus than Caucasian women.

While genetics and environmental factors play a critical role in developing autoimmune diseases, research has also significantly shifted focus to the gut microbiome that can trigger bacterial infections. 80% of the immune system resides in the gut lining; therefore, any imbalance, for example, overuse of antibiotics, can affect the gut and increase the chances of autoimmune disease.

3. Lifestyle factors to consider
The gut makes 75% of our neurotransmitters which is why stress, anxiety and sleep loss can change the microbiome and cause gut inflammation. It is possible to reduce the chances of gut-related autoimmune diseases by altering some lifestyle factors such as managing stress and anxiety, eating healthy meals and getting good sleep.

4. Follow an anti-inflammatory diet
Be careful of inflammatory foods like dairy, refined sugar, processed foods. Instead, include quality protein, healthy fats, vegetables and fermented food to nourish gut health.

5. Faecal Transplants
Faecal transplant can reset the microbiome in people; however, it is recommended to people diagnosed with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
To understand the signs and symptoms and treatment options for autoimmune diseases, it's best to consult a specialist at the earliest.

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Are you a heavy meat eater? Do you binge on processed foods? Don't drink enough water and other fluids? Are you addicted to caffeine? Don't exercise regularly? Have painful stool passing episodes? Then, it would be best if you looked out to ease chronic constipation as early as possible.

Ignoring the situation can scream trouble for you and prevent you from performing daily life activities. Surgery may be necessary and unavoidable in severe cases, like haemorrhoids, a**l fissures, and re**al prolapse.

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The brain needs enough creative juice to feel active and perform well. Yawns are signals which indicate brain fatigue. It is also an involuntary response of the body to breathe more air so that oxygen can reach the neurotransmitters and keep the brain from shutting down.

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Karvol has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which cleanses mucous and prevents the build-up of bacterial infection. For optimum benefit, inhale steam using Karvol before going to bed for more than 2 minutes at a time. However, it might cause ocular irritation. Therefore it is best to keep your eyes closed.
Repeat it twice a day if possible.

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Fruits are one of the healthiest diet choices, but they also have adverse effects on the body if consumed at the wrong time.

It is easier for the body to break down the fruit-sugar contents on an empty stomach. So can you guess the time when it is most beneficial to have your daily dose of nutrients?

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Stress disrupts internal energy and signals the central nervous system to respond to the 'perceived threat'.
As the body diverts its energy to combat stress, it impacts the digestive functions and may trigger abdominal pain and other signs of gastrointestinal disorders.
If you have a chronic problem, talk to your doctor about cognitive behavioural therapy or relaxation therapy to cope better with stress or anxiety.

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People who have sporadic eating habits put on weight more quickly than others! Evidence shows that how we eat is equally important as what we eat.
In general, when people enjoy their meal, they can keep off from unhealthy snacking. A little mindfulness about your diet and meal-times can be a stepping stone towards a fitter body and a happy mind,
Next time you sit to eat, keep your phone away and concentrate on your food.

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Warm feet in bed send sleep signals to your brain that it’s time for shuteye. While hot water bottles, heat pads and electric blankets are helpful, they may cause overheating and end up interfering with sleep. So wearing cotton or woollen socks is an excellent idea to get ample warmth for keeping your feet warm. However, ensure that you wear socks that are not too tight, and avoid compression socks unless advised by a doctor.

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Clues to help you guess better
- Made from milk
- A carbohydrate-rich fruit
- Protein-rich meat that contains essential amino acids
- A plant-based protein and fibre rich food
- Good source of beta-glucan

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Exposure to bright lights or morning sun can trigger sneezing, which is difficult to control. Medically called photic sneeze reflex, people can find relief by shielding their eyes and faces from sudden exposure to bright light.

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