Congratulations, students, on getting your student visa granted and starting a life-changing journey from your home country to abroad.From a Mumma's boy and daddy's little girl to an independent adult with a career goal, you're all set to go!Every year, from August to September, about 750,000 students from India travel to the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, and many other countries for higher education. From packing clothes, utensils, shoes, laptops, and all documents to the food items secretly placed in your bag by your mom, one main thing often gets overlooked - a customized first aid kit.Just imagine you have landed at your destination, and the food or weather has affected you, causing cold, fever, or diarrhea. Where would you go looking for medicines? But you and your family will have no worries if you have that first aid kit with you.Now, you might be thinking whether it is allowed to carry your first aid kit at the airport or not. Carrying your daily medicines and a first aid kit is allowed at airports.So, let's talk about the 30 medicines that you must carry in your first aid kit while traveling:Sanitizer or Antibacterial Wipes: You don't know when or where you might catch an infection or a fatal disease like COVID-19, so a hand sanitizer is a must-carry item and should be used before and after touching a wound, after a handshake, or before eating to kill germs.Recommendation: Dettol Hand SanitizerInstant Hot Pack and Cold Pack: Hot packs are important to get relief from excessive cold, and a cold pack can help relieve burns or bruises.Recommendation: Flamingo Cool Pack | Heating Pad Regular 1sThermometer: A thermometer is a must to check fever temperature.Recommendation: Hicks Digital ThermometerBandages: Different-sized bandages and adhesive bandages must be kept in the first aid kit.Recommendation: Band AidAntiseptic Liquid: Antiseptics like Dettol or Betadine solution can be carried to clean any cuts or wounds.Recommendation: Dettol Antiseptic 125ml LiquidAntibiotic Cream or Ointment: For local application for cuts, boils, and skin infections. It can cause an allergic reaction, so a thin layer is recommended.Suggested medicine: Mupicip 2% OintmentPain Relief Ointment: Traveling, long sitting, or lifting heavy luggage can cause muscle aches or back pain. A pain relief cream for local application can be helpful.Suggested medicine: Omnigel OintmentOral Rehydration Solution: Sometimes, food from outside can cause indigestion, loose motion, and vomiting, leading to dehydration and loss of essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and glucose from the body. An ORS is helpful in treating dehydration due to loose motion or vomiting.Recommendation: Electral Powder | Sodium Chloride IP 2.60 gms, Potassium Chloride IP 1.50 gms, Sodium Citrate IP 2.90 gms, Dextrose Anhydrous IP.Fever and Pain Medicine: Weather changes and tiredness can lead to fever and headaches associated with body pain. Even due to some infections, you may get a fever. In that case, medicine for treating aches/pains, fever, and headaches is required.Suggested medicine: Tab Calpol or Crocin | Paracetamol 650mgPrecautions: Remember not to take this medicine if you have any liver disorders.Pain and Anti-inflammatory Medicine: These medicines can relieve pain and any swelling in the body caused by an injury.Suggested medicine: Tab Combiflam | Ibuprofen (400mg) + Paracetamol (325mg)Precautions: Remember not to take this medicine if you have any kidney-related problems or are already taking any other medicine that contains the same salt composition.Muscle Relaxants: Sometimes, due to weakness caused by a lack of nutrients in the body, muscle sprains can occur. They are used for muscle pull sprains.Suggested medicine: Tab Flexinol | Flupenthixol (0.5mg) or Cap Ace Proxyvon | Aceclofenac (100mg) + Paracetamol (325mg)Gastric Medicine: It can relieve acute gastritis or reduce gas formation caused by skipping breakfast or lunch due to some urgent work.Suggested medicine: Tab Rzole | Rabeprazole (20mg)Chewable Digestive Tablets: These can relieve indigestion and acidity. After having your meal, if your food travels back to your throat or you feel bloated or gassy, these chewable digestive tablets can provide relief.Suggested medicine: Tab Digene chewable | Aluminum Hydroxide (300mg) + Magnesium Aluminium Silicate Hydrate (50mg) + Magnesium Hydroxide (25mg) + Simethicone (25mg)Anti-Allergic Medicine: It is used for allergies, itching, cold, sneezing, insect bites, and asthma.Suggested medicine: Tab Alerid | Cetirizine (10mg)Medicine for Vomiting: These medicines are used for nausea & vomiting. For motion sickness, it can be taken ½ hour prior to the start of the journey.Suggested medicine: Tab Domstal | Domperidone (10mg)Anti-diarrheal Medicine: These are used for loose motions to reduce the frequency of going to the toilet.Suggested medicine: Cap Imodium | Loperamide (2mg)Medicine for Severe Diarrhea: They can be used for severe diarrhea only under medical supervision. They can also be used for urinary tract infections.Suggested medicine: Tab Cifran CT | Ciprofloxacin (500mg) + Tinidazole (600mg)Multivitamins and Probiotics: Multivitamins for general body weakness and probiotics for loose motion or diarrhea.Suggested medicine: Nutrolin B capsules (lactobacillus spores) | Multivitamin + lactobacillus sporesEye Drops: It is used for the treatment of any bacterial eye or ear infection until you get to see an ophthalmologist. It can cause eye irritation and blurred vision for a while after applying, so do not drive while using this drop. Also, if you wear contact lenses, don’t use them until your infection is over.Suggested medicine: Ciplox eye drops | Ciprofloxacin (0.3% w/v)Nasal Drops: It can be used for nose blocks caused by sinusitis or other allergies that have continued for three days.Suggested medicine: Otrivin Oxy fast Relief Adult Nasal Spray | Oxymetazoline (0.05% w/v)Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used to treat infections of the lungs, ear, throat, sinuses, bones, joints, and urinary tract infections. They don’t work for viral infections. These medicines should only be taken on the advice of a physician, and completing the dose is required, or else you can get the infection again.Suggested medicine: Tab Ceftum | Cefuroxime (250mg) or Tab Augmentin | Amoxicillin (500mg) + Clavulanic Acid (125mg)Abdominal Pain Medicine: They can be used for stomach pain or period cramps that occur during menstruation.Suggested medicine: Tab Cyclopam | Dicyclomine (20mg) + Paracetamol (500mg)Sinusitis Medicine: It is used for colds, sinusitis, and other allergic infections with headaches. It can cause drowsiness.Suggested medicine: Tab Sinarest | Chlorpheniramine Maleate (2mg) + Paracetamol (500mg) + Phenylephrine (10mg)Medicine for Motion Sickness: Prevents and treats nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness.Suggested medicine: Tab Stugeron | Cinnarizine (25mg)Pain Relief for Joint Ache: Effective in relievingJoint Ache or pain of any sortSuggested medicine: Tab Meftal P | Mefenamic Acid (500mg)Pain Relief for Stomach Cramps:For Stomach Ache or Cramps , dysmenorrhoea.Suggested medicine: Tab Meftal Spas | Dicyclomine (20mg) + Mefenamic Acid (500mg)Lozenges for Sore Throat: Provides relief from throat irritation and cough.Suggested medicine: Alex 5mg Lozenges | Ambroxol Hydrochloride (5mg)Antibiotic for Respiratory Infections: Treats respiratory tract infections andfor Amoebic intestine ( Mucus with cramps)Suggested medicine: Tab O2H | Ofloxacin (200mg) + Ornidazole (500mg)Antibiotic for Severe Infections: Treats severe bacterial infections includingbacterial Intestine ( blood and no cramps)Suggested medicine: Tab Floxip | Ciprofloxacin (500mg)Natural Laxative: For relieving constipation , to be taken at night Suggested medicine: Powder Softovac | Natural fiber blendPrescription Medicine: Any medicine prescribed by your doctor for your medical condition.How to Safely Use Your First Aid KitAfter packing all these medicines, it's essential to know how to use them wisely. Follow these points:•Take medicines only after consulting a doctor and avoid self-medication.• Discard any expired medicines.• Always keep medicines with their labels to identify their uses.• Carry the prescription for your medicines.Now that you're all set with your packing, you can travel with peace of mind and handle any pain, cuts, or bruises during your journey. Safe travels and best wishes for your new adventure
Every time you are hungry, watching a movie, going on a trek, or feeling cold, the first thing that comes to your mind is Maggi. It is super tasty and can be made in 2 minutes, making it the perfect option to eat every time without even considering the side effects.If you are also a Maggie lover and eat Maggi almost daily, you are at the right place.Still have questions about Maggie? Gettrustworthy answers from verified sources onAsk Medwiki.Read till the end to know the potential harm that a Maggie can do to your health:1. When you eat a lot of maggi, its high citric acid content causes antioxidant activity in the body leading to acidity, bloating, and gas.2. Eating maggi every day can lead to obesity and increase the risk of heart disease, because it is high in trans fat, the most unhealthy form of fats, which is hard to digest and it also increases the level of bad cholesterol in the body.3. Maggi contains high amounts of sodium in the form of preservatives, which account for 46% of the daily required value. It can lead to high blood pressure and hypernatremia, a condition when sodium levels are high in the body.4. Maggi is high in Mono Sodium Glutamate(MSG), commonly known as ajinomoto. It is a taste enhancer that keeps you craving to eat maggi again and again and makes you unhealthy.5. Maggi has no nutritional value. It is made of maida or refined flour which contains no fibers and is high in trans fats that can't be easily digested by the body.Source:-1. Sharma, B. P. (2015). Maggi Muddle and Food Safety: Issues are much Bigger. PACIFIC BUSINESS REVIEW INTERNATIONAL, 8(1).https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301887068_Maggi_Muddle_and_Food_Safety_Issues_are_much_Bigger2. Law, C., & Cornelsen, L. (2022). Persistent consumer response to a nationwide food safety recall in urban India. Q open, 2(2), qoac025. https://doi.org/10.1093/qopen/qoac025
Honey is found in more than 300 varieties with different taste, colour and odor. Honey is full of essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Apart from this, it also has other amazing health benefits.Such as:1. It has zero fat and a little amount of carbs, vitamins, minerals and calories, that makes it a healthier option to sugar.2. It has high amount of antioxidants such as flavonoids, and phenolic acids, that helps in preventing ageing, diabetes and heart diseases.3. Benefit is that, it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that makes it beneficial in healing wonds like diabetic foot, ulcers and burns.4. Research suggests that honey has better soothing effects than other cough syrups. It helps suppress the cough and increases sleep quality in both kids and adults.But, honey shouldn't be given to children of age under 1 year, as it can cause botulism.5. It helps lower the blood pressure by decreasing the bad cholesterol levels and increasing the good cholesterol levels in the body.Still have questions about Honey ? Gettrustworthy answers from verified sources onAsk Medwiki.Source:-1. Ajibola A. (2015). Novel Insights into the Health Importance of Natural Honey. The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS, 22(5), 7–22.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5295738/2. Samarghandian, S., Farkhondeh, T., & Samini, F. (2017). Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy research, 9(2), 121–127. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8490.204647
Famous celebrities of India like Virat Kohli, Shruti Hasan, Malaika Arora, and Sara Ali Khan are often seen drinking black water. Black water has gained a huge popularity on social media as it is found to be a super healthy drink.But, what really is black water?well, Black water is an alkaline water, high in fulvic acid, which gives it a black color. Fulvic acid is rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium making it a healthy drink.Why do celebrities drink black water?Celebrities like to sip on black water due to many reasons:1. It increases the amount of good bacteria in the stomach which aids in digestion and metabolism.2. It's alkaline nature keeps the blood less viscous after exercise and prevent dehydration.3. The fulvic acid helps in detoxification, because it binds easily to the toxins in the body and eliminates them through urine.It also prevents diabetes as it keeps the blood sugar in control, by reducing cellular glucose.So, drinking black water is way more beneficial to health and a good alternative to sugary drinks.Source:-1. Magro, M., Corain, L., Ferro, S., Baratella, D., Bonaiuto, E., Terzo, M., Corraducci, V., Salmaso, L., & Vianello, F. (2016). Alkaline Water and Longevity: A Murine Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2016, 3084126. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/30841262. Chan, Y. M., Shariff, Z. M., Chin, Y. S., Ghazali, S. S., Lee, P. Y., & Chan, K. S. (2022). Associations of alkaline water with metabolic risks, sleep quality, muscle strength: A cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women. PloS one, 17(10), e0275640. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275640
The first monsoon is a great relief after hot summers and a great gift for farmers. But, the heavy rain causes a lot of destruction and water logging and thus becoming a home for many deadly diseases.When the rain water doesn't get a proper drainage, they get pooled and are known as standing water, stagnant water, water logging or more, which can be dangerous to your health as they increase the risk of various infectious diseases.Let's talk about the health effects and diseases caused by water logging:1.Parasitic diseases:Water logged areas provide a favorable environment for deadly viruses and parasites to grow, which can causeDengue Fever: Dengue is a viral infection caused by mosquitos that leads to severe flu-like symptoms, including high fever, muscle and joint pains, headache and skin rashes.Malaria: Malaria is a very common mosquito-borne disease which is caused by a parasite and transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms of malaria include chills, fever, and flu-like symptoms.Chikungunya: Chikungunya results in a sudden rise in body temperature, severe joint pain, headache and rash. It is transmitted through infected mosquitoes.Suggested Read: From Mosquitoes To Humans: How Dengue Fever Spreads2. Infection in eyes:Water logging can lead to eye infections when this contaminated water comes in contact with the eyes which can cause discomfort to your eyes due to infections likeConjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, also known as Pink Eye, is aneye condition where the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white part of the eye and eyelids, becomes inflamed. This membrane has small blood vessels that become enlarged when the conjunctiva becomes irritated, leading to a reddish appearance of the eye.Keratitis:The inflammation in the cornea (the clear front layer of your eyes) is termed as keratitis. It includes symptoms likeredness, pain, tearing, blurred vision and light sensitivity.Suggested Read: Eye Flu: The Pink Eye4. Skin infection:When your skin gets into contact with logged water, the bacteria and fungi can transfer onto your skin causing fungal infections such asEczema:Eczema isa condition thatweakens the barrier function of your skin which is responsible for helping your skin retain moisture and protecting your body and thuscauses your skin to become dry, itchy and bumpy.Dermatitis:Dermatitis is a common skin condition that leads to swelling and irritation of the skin and often involves itchy, dry skin or a rash.Suggested Read: What's Causing Your Skin Rash5. Respiratory infections:The spores of bacteria, virus or parasites from the logged water can get into your airways by getting mixed along with the air you breathe. These mold spores cause irritation in the airways and cause respiratory issues like asthma, and allergic rhinitis.Asthma: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition in which your airways get narrowed and swollen and are further blocked by excess mucus production thus causing difficulty in breathing and wheezing.Allergic rhinitis:Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergic condition that causes sneezing, congestion in nose and watery eyes.Suggested Read: The Healing Power of Yoga for Asthma Patients6. Gastrointestinal infections:Water logging can cause gastrointestinal infections as it creates a suitable environment for bacteria, viruses and parasites to grow and reproduce easily. And when you drink this contaminated water, it can cause various stomach infections.So, in order to prevent such health hazards it is important to take precautions towards proper drainage of water, and sanitation.Suggested Read: 7 Home Remedies to Prevent Diarhhea
A human body has its natural detox mechanism, which keeps your body clean by flushing toxins out.Why do people talk about ways to detox the body?It actually means giving a little push or making a small effort to help your body detoxify more easily and thoroughly.Still have questions about whole body detox? Get trustworthy answers from verified sources on Ask Medwiki.Here are three basic steps that can help you detox your body completely:1. Fasting: You can either do intermittent fasting or keep a full day fast at least once a week. This helps your body manage and eliminate poisonous and toxic substances effectively. However, drinking plenty of water, including juices, is essential because it helps your body flush out toxins easily through sweat, urine, or stool.2. Healthy Diet: Eat foods that are rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants, such as greens, citrus fruits, berries, nuts, and spinach. These foods aid in digestion and support the detoxification process, ultimately keeping your heart, brain, and entire body healthy.3. Healthy Lifestyle: Engage in regular exercise, yoga, or any kind of workout to help your body remove toxins through sweat. Additionally, getting quality sleep every night is crucial for the body to rejuvenate itself.By following these steps, you can support your body’s natural detox mechanisms and improve your overall health and well-being.Source:-1. Hodges, R. E., & Minich, D. M. (2015). Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application. Journal of nutrition and metabolism, 2015, 760689. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/7606892. Jung, S. J., Kim, W. L., Park, B. H., Lee, S. O., & Chae, S. W. (2020). Effect of toxic trace element detoxification, body fat reduction following four-week intake of the Wellness up diet: a three-arm, randomized clinical trial. Nutrition & metabolism, 17, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-020-00465-9
Are you obsessed with food?Do you binge eat?Can you not resist food regardless of whether you are full?Do you end up eating a lot more than actually required?If your answer is yes, you might be having an eating disorder and you are possibly OVEREATING!Suggested Read: Is Obesity Your Fault!What can be the factors responsible for overeating?A family history of eating disordersDifficulty in coping with emotionsTrauma or abuseFood insecurityDepressionAnxietyAntisocial behaviorOther medical conditionsSuggested Read: Is Your Brain Making You OvereatWhat are the ways to control overeating?Here are five steps that can help you stop overeating effectively:Identify Tempting Foods:Know which foods tempt you the most and which ones you find hard to resist. Keep these foods out of sight to avoid easily reaching them. Making them less accessible can help prevent overeating.Avoid Distracted Eating:Don’t eat while watching your favorite show or working on your laptop. These distractions can make you unaware of how much you're eating, leading to overeating.Moderation, Not Deprivation:Don’t completely restrict yourself from all your favorite foods, as this can increase cravings and lead to binge eating. Allow yourself to enjoy them in moderation.Eat Greens and Salads First:Try to eat more greens and salads before your main meal. This can make you feel full and reduce the amount you eat during the meal, helping you avoid overeating.Limit Alcohol Consumption:If you drink alcohol, try to limit it to not more than two drinks. Alcohol can increase hunger and lead to overeating.It's really hard to resist your favorite food or dessert, but overeating is not an appropriate solution to cravings. Try out eating foods rich in fiber and proteins as well as counting calories to effectively stop overeating.Suggested Read: 10 Things an Indian Can Do to Lose Weight Without Dieting
Rain might amaze you with its beauty, but is it as blissful in every way? You may have seen many people collect rainwater, but are you aware of the potential side effects? Let's explore the safety of drinking rainwater.Why Rainwater Isn't Considered Fit for Direct ConsumptionWhile rainwater is naturally alkaline, as it comes into contact with air and the environment, it picks up pollutants and changes its pH from basic to slightly acidic. This pollution, combined with various contaminants, makes it unsafe to drink without proper treatment.Suggested Read:How to prevent waterborne diseases during the rainy seasonSafety Considerations for Drinking RainwaterNatural Composition of RainwaterAlthough rainwater is perceived as alkaline, it often turns slightly acidic (pH 5 to 5.5) due to environmental pollutants. When rain hits the ground, it may carry harmful parasites, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals, posing health risks. Drinking untreated rainwater could lead to serious complications.Contamination Risks in Collected RainwaterBefore reaching storage tanks, rainwater usually flows over roofs, accumulating contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Collecting and drinking untreated rainwater can expose you to harmful chemicals and increase your risk of various health issues.How to Make Rainwater Safe to DrinkThe environment today is full of contamination due to industrialization and urbanization. Rainwater, if untreated, is unsafe. To ensure safety, follow these treatment methods:Boiling: Heat rainwater to a rolling boil to kill harmful microorganisms.Chlorination: Use chlorine or water purification tablets to disinfect the water.Suggested Read:Effect of Rain Water Logging on HealthCommon Health Risks of Drinking Untreated RainwaterDrinking untreated rainwater can lead to several illnesses, including:Diarrhea: Caused by ingesting bacteria, viruses, and parasites from contaminated rainwater.Giardiasis: A parasitic infection from Giardia in rainwater.Dysentery: Triggered by contaminated water carrying Shigella and Amoebas.Typhoid Fever: Due to the presence of Salmonella Typhi in rainwater.E. Coli Infection: Caused by Escherichia coli bacteria in rainwater.Salmonellosis: Another risk due to Salmonella contamination, leading to food poisoning-like symptoms.Conclusion: Make Rainwater Safe Before DrinkingWhile rainwater may seem clean and pure, it carries contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and harmful chemicals. Drinking it untreated can cause various health problems, including diarrhea, typhoid, giardiasis, dysentery, and E. coli infections. To avoid these risks, ensure proper treatment by boiling, filtering, or chemically disinfecting rainwater. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of safe and clean water for you and your family.Source:-1. Khayan, K., Heru Husodo, A., Astuti, I., Sudarmadji, S., & Sugandawaty Djohan, T. (2019). Rainwater as a Source of Drinking Water: Health Impacts and Rainwater Treatment. Journal of environmental and public health, 2019, 1760950. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/17609502. Chubaka, C. E., Ross, K. E., & Edwards, J. W. (2017). Rainwater for drinking water: A study of household attitudes. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 216, 299-311.https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/RAINWATER-FOR-DRINKING-WATER%3A-A-STUDY-OF-HOUSEHOLD-Chubaka-Ross/b2786e2606c04cb05b809003877e9a852b46d348
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