What is Glucometer?

 Glucometer is a portable device with which one can measure and monitor blood sugar levels/ concentration of glucose in blood. Glucometer is of great use to diabetic patients as they can keep a record of their blood sugar levels from the comfort of their home. This device is easy to use. It helps in providing instant results regarding the blood sugar levels hence enabling the patient to decide when he needs to meet his doctor.

Regular monitoring of blood glucose is important as it can prevent or delay complications of diabetes. Monitoring of blood sugar level further helps in comprehending the effects of various food substances and activities on blood glucose levels in your body.

There are different types of glucometers available in the market but they all perform the same function. Commonly used glucometer kit includes lancets (needles used to prick the skin); test strips (used to test and measure blood glucose levels). Each strip is to be used once and then discarded. Before testing ensure that the test strips have not expired.

LCD display on the glucometer displays the blood sugar readings and towards the bottom, there is a slot to fit the test strip. The device has an in-built memory to store the glucose readings. Some models of glucometer can be connected to a personal computer and the test results can be stored.

Working

Lancet is used to prick the skin and a small sample of blood is placed on a test strip which is then placed in the device slot. The sensor underneath this slot transmits the reading for the blood sample. Test strips are coated with chemicals which react with glucose present in blood. Glucometer measures the amount of glucose present. Glucose level displayed is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimol per liter (mmol/L).

Volume of blood sample required for testing varies from model to model, from 0.3 to 1 μl. Time taken to read the test strip may vary from 3 to 60 seconds for different models.

Accuracy
Glucometers must meet the accuracy standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). There are several factors that affect the accuracy of a test, such as calibration of meter, amount and quality of blood sample, cleanliness of meter, humidity, aging of test strips, etc. Good machines too, have a margin of error of minimum 10%. Laboratory testing for blood sugar is advisable once in 6 months.

Glucometers are easily available online (www.flipkart.com) and in medical stores without a prescription. This device is a must-have device for people suffering with diabetes. 

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 17yrs. She is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from high blood sugar, low blood sugar, hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, paediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. She further offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counselling; martial counselling and addiction counselling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com

Foods to Lower Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol - Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad," cholesterol, and High-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good," cholesterol. Intake of food substances which help in lowering the bad cholesterol should be encouraged. 

Some of them are as follows:-

• Oats, Oatmeal & Muesli.
• Walnuts, almonds, Pistachios and other nuts. 
• Olive oil and olive products.
• Yoghurt.
• Omega-3 fatty acids.
• Legumes such as dry, cooked or canned beans; lentils; peas and all soya products (cooked or canned soya beans, soya mince, cubes, soya milk and tofu).
• Flax seeds. 
  
• Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, or rich in beta-carotene such as apricots, yellow peaches, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, cranberry, strawberry, blackberry, apples, pears, prunes, guava, mango, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, butternut, carrots, broccoli, cabbage and spinach.
• Garlic, spring onions and other onions. 
• 
• Dark Chocolate. 
• Green Tea.

Apart from making changes in the diet, healthy lifestyle changes should also be incorporated to successfully decrease cholesterol levels. Regular exercise, reduce stress, quit smoking, become vegetarian and healthy weight should be maintained.

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 17yrs. She is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, paediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. She further offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counselling; martial counselling and addiction counselling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com

Summer Care of Baby

Summer can be a season which can prove tricky in keeping an infant comfortable. There are certain factors which need to be considered in ensuring the comfort of the child and in making the little one remain cool and protected during summer.

·         Clothing

Appropriate type of clothing should be considered. Cotton clothing is considered to be the best for summers, as it is light and absorbs perspiration better than synthetic fabrics. When indoors, dress the baby in loose-fitting and lightweight garments and when outdoors, dress the baby in light-colored long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and shield the face with a hat.

• Sun Protection
  The baby’s skin is very delicate and should be kept protected from direct sunlight for the initial six months. Minimal amount of sunscreen can be applied to the baby’s exposed area. For child, over the age of 6 months, sunscreen can be used liberally and more frequently. Waterproof sunscreen particularly for kids should be used. Always carry the baby under shade. Sunglasses can be used to protect the baby’s eyes and to reduce glare.

·         Ventilation

Good Ventilation should be provided to the child as the baby fails to perspire effectively hence, can become overheated more quickly as compared to an adult. Inadequate ventilation can lead to suffocation in high temperature. To ensure the comfort of the baby and to lower the room temperature, fans and air conditioners can be used.

·         Hydration

Keep your child well-hydrated. Infants below six months should be nursed more frequently. Small amounts of water in addition to juicy fruits can be given to babies above the age of six months.  Water intake of the baby should be at least 50 percent more than usual. Water helps best in fighting against summer and rise in temperature. Few warning signs of dehydration are - flushed face, skin warm to touch, restlessness and rapid breathing.  

·         Food

In summers, light and easy to digest baby food should be given. Interval between the feeds can be reduced. For infants, breast milk is the best diet for all seasons. In high temperatures, baby food gets spoiled very quickly hence, avoid leaving prepared baby food open. Baby food should be prepared just during the feeding time and in case some food remains then it can be put in the refrigerator. 

Healthy Regime

Follow the regime shown in the figure below for a healthy, disease- free life.

How to burp your baby?

It is essential to make a baby burp after every meal. Burping aids in eliminating some of the air that is swallowed by the babies during feeding. If the baby is not being burped properly then there is accumulation of much swallowed air which can lead to spitting up, crankiness, and fussiness. A simple burp can ease the gas and comfort the baby. Generally, bottle-fed babies require more burping as compared to breastfed babies; as bottle-fed babies tend to swallow more air when feeding.

Burping is required when the baby seems uncomfortable while feeding, is fussy or pulls away the bottle and starts crying. If the baby falls asleep during or after feeding, don’t bother about burping. Gradually, as the babies grow older, they learn to eat without swallowing much air hence; the need of burping is not required.

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Common Burp Positions

There are three common positions used to burp the baby - over the shoulder, face down on your lap, and sitting up. Most of the babies are comfortable burping in one position rather than the other hence, it is advisable to experiment with different position, if you are not getting the desired results.

• Sit upright and hold your baby against your chest, over the shoulder. Rest your baby's chin over your shoulder; support your baby with one hand. With the other hand, gently pat your baby's back. Avoid patting too hard. Rubbing the back can also generate the burp. Gently rocking with your baby while you do this may be beneficial. Place a towel on your shoulder or under your baby’s chin, for easy cleaning of the ‘wet burp’.

• Hold your baby sitting up on your lap. Support the baby's head, neck and back. Cradle the baby's chin in the palm of one hand, while resting the heel of your hand on the baby's chest. Use the other hand to pat your baby's back gently. Avoid holding the throat of the baby.

• Lay your baby on your lap on his or her belly. Support the baby's head and ensure that the baby’s head is higher than his or her chest. Gently pat on your baby's back.

During the initial 6 months of the baby, the baby is to be kept in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes, after feeding to avoid the milk from coming back up. You need not worry if your baby spits sometimes. At times, the baby may awaken because of gas, make your baby to burp which might put him or her back to sleep. Babies may suffer from colic after swallowing excess air during the crying spells, making the baby to burp can be of great hep in such situations.

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 17yrs. She is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, paediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. She further offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counselling; martial counselling and addiction counselling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com

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Tips For a Healthy Lifestyle

Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is associated with several advantages though a few advantages may be immediate and a few may take some time. Meditation is generally advised as an auxiliary mode of treatment as it helps in faster recovery of the patients.

Meditation benefits are classified into four – Physical, Psychological, Emotional & Spiritual. Here, we shall deal with the Physical & Psychological benefits, which are as follows:-

Physical Advantages of Meditation

• Enhances brain functioning by strengthening the communication between different areas of the brain.  
• Decreases the levels of the body’s natural stress hormone in the body, thereby reducing stress. 
• Decreases high blood pressure by decreasing heart rate and respiratory rate.
• Enhances breathing. 
• Diminishes sensation of pain. 
• Strengthens the immune system & boosts energy, strength and vigor.
• Reduces anxiety attacks & Pre-menstrual Syndrome symptoms.
•  Aids in weight loss.
• Reduces cholesterol levels, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Decreases the aging process.
• Cure headaches & migraines.
• Provides significant relief from asthma.
• Relaxes the nervous system.

Psychological Advantages of Meditation

·    Helps combat stress and its effects by the calming and relaxing effects produced by meditation.

·    Enhances sense of well-being.  

• Gain clarity and peace of mind. 
• Develops a positive attitude.  
• Increases self-confidence and self- esteem.
• Improves emotional stability. 
• Improves concentration and focus. 
• Builds self-confidence.
• Boosts learning ability and memory.
• Develops will power.
• Enhances Creativity.
• Reacts more quickly and more efficiently to a stressful event.
• Reduces aggression. 
• Helps in quitting smoking and in alcohol addiction. 
• Reduces need and dependency on drugs and pills.
• Helps in making more accurate judgements.

To achieve the benefits of meditation, regular practice is required. It shall take only a few minutes daily. One must try imbibing meditation into the daily routine.

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 17yrs. She is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, paediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. She further offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counselling; martial counselling and addiction counselling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com

Hair Care Tips For Holi

 

 With Holi comes the season of fun, frolic and lots of color! But one needs to be cautious when playing holi as artificial colors contains toxic chemicals which can cause harm to the exposing skin and hair. Hence, certain precautions are to be taken when playing Holi.

Hair Care before playing Holi -

• Cover your hair with a bandana or cap.
• Oil your hair to prevent penetration of colors.
• Pile your hair into a bun or pony, avoid leaving the hair open when playing as it shall attract more colors and dust, resulting in severe hairfall.
• Apply hair gel to reduce the effects of harmful colors. Hair gel prevents the colors from sticking on to hair. 
• Be cautious of metallic colors as they are much more harmful than regular colors.
• Use organic colors as they fail to contain harmful chemicals.

Hair Care after playing Holi -

• Wash your hair properly with plain water till all the color comes off. Use a mild shampoo and avoid over shampooing even, if the color does not come off immediately wash again in a day or two.
• To get rid of the color, avoid washing the hair twice on the same day as this shall only make your hair drier.

·         Ensure the use of a hair conditioner to prevent excessive drying off hair.

• For every day for a week or two it is vital to keep applying hair oil so that the hair is provided with regular nourishment.
• For colored or highlighted hair, extra protection and special shampoo is required. 

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 17yrs. She is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, paediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. She further offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counselling; martial counselling and addiction counselling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com

Can Ladies Finger Control Diabetes?

Yes, Ladies finger (Bhindi) is one such vegetable which helps in keeping the blood sugar in control. It breaks down the starches before they are converted into glucose in the bloodstream. Ladies finger is known as the ‘blood-sugar stabilizer’. The seeds of ladies finger contain alpha-glucosidase inhibitors which arrest starches from converting into sugar. Researchers have confirmed that ladies finger can drastically reduce blood sugar levels. The fiber in ladies finger stabilizes the blood sugar by controlling the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

How To Take Ladies Finger:-

• Take two or three fresh lady fingers. 
• Cut both the ends of the ladies finger.
• Cut them from the centre and put them in a glass full of water.
• Cover the glass and keep it at room temperature and leave it overnight. 
• In the morning, remove the lady finger and drink the water, before breakfast.
• Repeat this process every day to reduce sugar levels.

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 17yrs. She is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, paediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. She further offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counselling; martial counselling and addiction counselling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com

Health Benefits of Walnut

Walnut is an edible seed of the tree nut Juglans regia. The tree serves numerous uses; it can be used as food, medicine, furniture and dye. Walnut forms a vital component of a healthy diet.

Walnuts are high in protein, vitamins, anti-oxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, trace minerals, lecithin and oils. As compared with other tree nuts, walnuts contain the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnut seed has several health benefits ranging from weight management to arresting various types of cancers. 

Some of the health benefits of Walnuts are as follows:-

·         Prevents heart disease, dissolves blood clots, reduces blood pressure & cholesterol. 

·         Improves memory and cognitive function.

·         Strengthens hair, reduces hair fall and enhances hair growth.

·         Slows cancer growth.

·         Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes.

·         Ideal for obesity management.

·         Improves sperm quality, vitality, motility, and morphology.

·         Enhances sleep patterns & relieves stress.

·         Keeps immune system healthy and prevents the onset of diseases. 

·         Helps in the proper functioning of bowel movement as walnuts are rich in fibre.

·         Keeps the skin moisturized and enhances the growth of healthier and radiant cells.

·         Lightens dark circles.

·         Prevents gallstones. 

·         Lowers levels of inflammation.

·         Enhances body's metabolism.

·         Recommended for patients with liver ailments.

·         Promotes bone health.

Precaution

Consumption of walnut intake should be monitored as walnut is rich in oxalates and oxalates can lead to the formation of kidney stone. 

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 17yrs. She is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, paediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. She further offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counselling; martial counselling and addiction counselling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com