Lifestyle

By Reema Arora
New Delhi, May 6 (IANSlife) Our bodies' needs and capabilities change as we age, and our skin is no exception. Sometimes the skin may transform more rapidly than necessary, if certain factors are at play such as pollution, unhealthy habits, hormonal and metabolic change. The skin becomes thinner, developing your first fine lines and wrinkles. It also loses its radiance and elasticity; no longer appearing as supple as it once did. While these are natural processes, there are certain skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen that can actually reverse signs of ageing.


Role of hyaluronic acid and collagen

Both, hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen, have become a mainstay in cosmetics and skincare - supplements, injectables, and topical. These ingredients are critical to keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful, but they work in different ways. For instance: hyaluronic acid helps to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, in contrast, collagen helps to rebuild and strengthen the skin's connective tissues from within.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance found in the human body. It's present in large concentrations in the skin, where it helps keep the complexion hydrated and plump. In fact, hyaluronic acid is responsible for up to 30 per cent of the skin's natural moisture-binding ability, but its production depletes over time as you age. Similarly, collagen is a protein that your body naturally creates. Like hyaluronic acid, as you age your body produces less of the protein. As collagen plays a role in strengthening skin and increasing elasticity and hydration, wrinkles develop when your body starts producing less. In recent years, people have started using hyaluronic acid and collagen-enriched skincare products and supplements. But for longer-lasting effect and better results, bio-remodelling is a practical choice.

Collagen and hyaluronic acid go together like best friends. They complement and support one another for maximal, effective benefits. Hailed as the break-through treatment for anti-ageing, Profhilo, also synonymous with bio-remodelling, is the latest innovation in the field of aesthetic procedures. With one of the highest concentrations of ultrapure HA on the market, the treatment tackles anti-ageing directly from within the skin itself, stimulating collagen production and strengthening the support networks in the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, hyaluronic acid plays a key role in tissue regeneration, specifically in repairing skin, and has been found very effective in healing wounds. Rather than being a volumising filler or muscle relaxant, Profhilo can be seen as more of an advanced injectable moisturiser. Besides the face, Profhilo can also be injected into neck, hands and other areas with high skin laxity.

Foods for boosting hyaluronic acid and collagen

The importance of nutrition is paramount, since we know that the skin is nourished from the inside. If you're not eating right, your skin will show it. While there are many approaches to eating healthy, certain foods are guaranteed to up your beauty game.

Adding bone broth, foods such as soy products, oranges, bell peppers, tomato, cashew, almonds, kale, beans, and sweet potatoes will provide nutrients that may naturally ramp up your body's synthesis of hyaluronic acid and collagen and give you a healthier glow.

It is also important to reduce or cut out alcohol, coffee, foods and beverages high in sodium and sugars as they all contribute to systemic dehydration, which may show up as skin that looks dull and non-plump. Do your best to limit your intake of processed foods, and increase the intake of water to keep the skin hydrated.

Using the right skin care ingredients, making a few lifestyle changes, and having patience can help your skin in aging gracefully and keeping it look its best through the years. A trustworthy dermatologist can help you create a personalised skin care plan by assessing your skin type, evaluating your skin's condition and recommending products and aesthetic procedures likely to be effective.

(Dr Reema Arora, Medical Director& Founder, The Face Clinic, Hauz Khas)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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Lucknow, May 3 (IANS) For the first time, doctors at the Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute performed a microvascular surgery for tongue reconstruction with free radial artery forearm flap.

Resection of primary tumour was done by Dr Indu Shukla, Assistant Professor, ENT and plastic and reconstructive surgery was performed by Dr Mukta Verma, Assistant Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery.

A 56-year-old male patient had come with complaints of non-healing ulcers and pain at the left lateral border of the tongue for about four months.

His histopathology came out to be moderately differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma and he was diagnosed as a case of cancer tongue.

He was operated on April 27. The tongue was reconstructed with the help of free radial artery forearm flap (microvascular technique). Patient is a known case of diabetes mellitus type 2 and he is also suffering from chronic liver disease.

The doctors said that the patient had now recovered and the surgery was successful.

--IANS
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Seoul, May 3 (IANS) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday revealed that he was taken aback when asked to sing the 1971 hit by Don McLean, "American Pie", at a state dinner at the White House last week but believes he delivered his rendition quite well.

During his six-day state visit to the US last week, Yoon attended the dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden, and close to the end of it, Biden asked Yoon to sing the song, one of the South Korean President's favourites, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"When President Biden asked me to come up to the stage, I thought I would be given a guitar, but I was pretty taken aback when he asked me to sing," Yoon said during a dinner meeting with the leadership of the ruling People Power Party.

When Yoon grabbed the microphone and delivered the first few lines, he received a standing ovation and loud applause from the audience.

Biden then presented him with a guitar signed by McLean on behalf of the musician, who could not attend the dinner.

Just minutes before Yoon's surprise performance, three Broadway singers gave music performances and sang a rendition of "American Pie".

"As shown in pictures, I thought I sang very well, as singers from 'Miss Saigon' showed a surprising expression seeing me singing," he said.

--IANS
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Noida, May 2 (IANS) Doctors have successfully treated a two-month-old boy suffering from a rare yeast infection called Rhodoturula coupled with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Meningitis.

"This is the world's first reported case of Rhodoturula infection (Rhodotorula is a genus of pigmented yeasts), while the CMV Meningitis is the second such reported case in the world as per the available medical records," doctors at the Fortis Hospital, Noida, said in a statement on Tuesday.

CMV Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the lining of the brain. Also known as HCMV, CMV, or human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5), is the most commonly transmitted virus to a developing foetus.

The baby, born to residents of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, was admitted to the hospital with fever, increased irritability and two episodes of abnormal movements, including up-rolling of eyes, bulging in the top of the head and irritable cry.

Several medical tests such as MRI, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) etc. were conducted to identify any underlying infection, which revealed that the baby had Meningitis. Owing to the uncontrolled seizures, the baby was intubated and administered antibiotics.

Clinically, the baby showed improvement with satisfactory feeding and activity, but his high-grade fever was not getting better.

He was having 3-4 episodes of fever everyday, thus a CSF examination was repeated and sent for a BioFire test which returned CMV positive.

Ganciclovir injection was administered for the following six weeks. However, the fever didn't subside even after 10 days. The CSF fungal culture revealed the presence of Rhodotorula infection.

After a repeat CSF fungal culture that "revealed the presence of a rare yeast -- Rhodotorula species -- which has not been identified or observed in CMV anywhere in the world, Amphotericin B was administered for four weeks. This helped the baby recover and his fever also subsided," Ashutosh Sinha, Director & Head, Paediatrics, Fortis Noida, said in a statement.

"Without immediate and correct treatment, the chances of survival were meagre. Initial MRI had shown changes in the brain but subsequent MRI of the brain showed improvement. We discharged the baby in normal condition without any complications. The condition has risk factors - high mortality, neurodisability and other related complications if left undiagnosed and untreated," he added.

CMV is a common virus and once infected, the body retains the virus for life. Most people don't know they have CMV because it rarely causes problems in healthy people. The infection generally happens in immunocompromised and HIV patients or those undergoing chemotherapy.

"There have been cases of CMV infection in babies acquired before birth from mother or after birth through breast milk, but infection of the brain is very rare. Some babies can acquire it after birth via breast milk. However, in this case, it was not possible to ascertain if breast milk was the carrier, although we stopped breast milk to limit the exposure," Sinha said.

-IANS
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New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) More than 80 per cent asthma cases in India are undiagnosed, which if left untreated can worsen over time, said experts here on Tuesday.

World Asthma Day is an annual event observed on the first Tuesday of May, aimed at raising awareness about asthma, a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions worldwide.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects 339 million people globally. It causes airways in the lungs to become inflamed and narrow, and produce excess mucus, leading to breathing difficulties, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing.

Speaking to IANS, Manisha Mendiratta, HOD & Senior Consultant - Pulmonology, at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad said, "The prevalence of asthma in India is around 3 per cent, though more than 80 per cent of patients remain undiagnosed" in the country.

Lack of proper resources, infrastructure, acceptance and ignorance about the disease are the major reasons, the doctor said.

Moreover, "about 70 per cent of patients with severe asthma are also not properly diagnosed as suffering from a severe form of the disease. The reason is lack of awareness among patients, unwillingness to seek medical help, and many doctors, especially in smaller towns, lacking the diagnostic tools for asthma," Mendiratta said.

There is currently no cure for asthma, advances in medical research show promise for effectively managing the condition. But smart inhalers, immunotherapy, biologic medications, bronchial thermoplasty, and virtual reality therapy are some innovative treatments that can help manage and control the symptoms of asthma.

"With every attack of asthma, the condition of the lung deteriorates, making the next attack of asthma more dangerous. Untreated asthma will over time worsen and lead to respiratory disability, poor quality of life and lack of adequate oxygen in the body, which can harm other organs and even lead to heart failure," Dr. Mendiratta told IANS.

Even among people undergoing treatment for the respiratory condition, less than 1 per cent of patients have properly controlled asthma.

"It is because most of the patients don't take asthma medications for long. In addition to the stigma attached to inhalers, there are also several misconceptions, such as that inhalers are addiction-forming and can lead to side effects. This prevents patients from seeking proper treatment," the doctor said.

--IANS
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London, April 15 (IANS) Six pets in Portugal and one in the UK were carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria similar to those found in their owners, according to a study.

Dogs, cats and other pets are known to contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that can cause human disease.

In the study, researchers at the University of Lisbon in Portugal found bacteria resistant to third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems in dogs and cats and their owners.

Cephalosporins are used to treat a broad range of conditions, including meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis, and are classed among the most critically important antibiotics for human medicine by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Carbapenems are part of the last line of defence when other antibiotics have failed.

The finding underlines the importance of including pet-owning households in programmes to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance, said researchers.

"In this study, we provide evidence that bacteria resistant to third generation cephalosporins, critically important antibiotics, are being passed from pets to their owners," said Juliana Menezes from the varsity's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

"Owners can reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria by practising good hygiene, including washing their hands after collecting their dog or cat's waste and even after petting them," Menezes said.

The team tested faecal samples from dogs and cats and their owners for Enterobacterales (a large family of bacteria which includes E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) resistant to common antibiotics.

The prospective longitudinal study involved five cats, 38 dogs and 78 humans from 43 households in Portugal and seven dogs and eight humans from seven households in the UK.

In Portugal, one dog was colonised by a strain of multidrug-resistant OXA-181-producing Escherichia coli. OXA-181 is an enzyme that confers resistance to carbapenems.

Three cats and 21 dogs and 28 owners harboured ESBL/Amp-C producing Enterobacterales. These are resistant to third generation cephalosporins.

In eight households, two houses with cats and six with dogs, both pet and owner were carrying ESBL/AmpC-producing bacteria.

In six of these homes, the DNA of the bacteria isolated from the pets (one cat and five dogs) and their owners was similar, meaning these bacteria were probably passed between the animals and humans. It is not known whether they were transferred from pet to human or vice versa.

In the UK, one dog was colonised by multidrug-resistant E. coli producing NDM-5 and CTX-M-15 beta-lactamases.

These E. coli are resistant to third generation cephalosporins, carbapenems and several other families of antibiotics.

ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacterales were isolated from five dogs and three owners.

In two households with dogs, both pet and owner were carrying ESBL/AmpC-producing bacteria. In one of these homes, the DNA of the bacteria isolated from the dog and owner was similar, suggesting the bacteria probably passed from one to the other. The direction of transfer is unclear.

All of the dogs and cats were successfully treated for their skin, soft tissue and urinary tract infections.

The owners did not have infections and so did not need treatment.

The study will be presented at the ongoing European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

--IANS
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New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Over 130 women students of Delhi University defied the curfew timings of their hostels and PG accommodations to join the Women's March organised by the Students Federation of India (SFI) on April 1 midnight at the Faculty of Arts, a student and SFI activist Mehina said on Sunday.

"The march on April 1 midnight was aimed at reclaiming the night (hours) and the streets that were previously kept away from women, and to raise awareness about women's safety," she said.

According to Samaa, a member of SFI Delhi state committee, the Women's Night March was organised entirely by women to give them a platform to voice their concerns and to empower them to take back their freedom to move around at night.

The march began with a rally around the Faculty of Arts at midnight, with participants singing songs to celebrate the strength and resilience of women, she added.

The women then gathered at the Faculty of Arts gate, where a range of cultural events were held to showcase the talents of female students and to promote unity and solidarity among women.

"The event was a resounding success and received widespread support from the Delhi University community," the SFI said.

"As a progressive students organisation, we see the Women's Night March as a testament to the resilience and strength of women in the DU, and the SFI hopes that the event will inspire more women to speak out against gender-based violence and work towards creating a safer and more inclusive society," the SFI added.

"It is empowering to see women breaking curfew and reclaiming their right to move around at night. The Women's Night March is a strong statement that women demand the right to live without fear and to occupy public spaces without any restrictions," a woman student said.

--IANS
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New York, April 2 (IANS) SARS-CoV-2 infection is not alone behind long Covid conditions, psychosocial factors such as low physical activity and loneliness may also contribute, according to a study led by an international team of researchers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines post-Covid-19 condition (PCC) as the persistence of symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnoea, and what is commonly referred to as "brain fog" occurring three months or longer after infection with SARS-CoV-2.

The study, published in the JAMA Network Open, showed that the prevalence of long Covid conditions was equally high among people without a history of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting contributions of other factors.

The prevalence of PCC six months after acute Covid was approximately 50 per cent, but was equally high in a control group of comparable SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals (47 per cent).

Acute Covid was not an independent risk factor for PCC, the researchers said, noting that low physical activity and loneliness were also associated with the outcome.

"These results suggest that factors often labelled as psychosocial should be considered risk factors for persistent symptoms," the researchers said.

However, "this does not imply that PCC is 'all in the mind', or that the condition has a homogeneous, psychological aetiology. Rather, there might be heterogeneous biological, psychological, and social factors engaged in triggering and maintaining the symptoms of the individual," they said.

For the study, researchers, including from Akershus University Hospital in Norway, University College London, UK; and University of Sydney in Australia, used a prospective cohort study involving 404 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 105 who tested negative.

The team evaluated the participants during the early convalescent stage and at six-month follow-up.

Study subjects underwent clinical exams, including pulmonary, cardiac, and blood tests to examine immunological and organ injury biomarkers.

Researchers also conducted cognitive functional tests.

The team didn't find any biomarkers specific to viral infection at six-month follow-up. The main risk factor for PCC was symptom severity at baseline.

--IANS
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London, March 29 (IANS) People suffering from flu could be at more than six times higher risk of heart attack a week after, than in the year before or after, a new study suggests.

The study, led by researchers from the University Medical Centre Utrecht in The Netherlands, said the results underline the importance of the flu vaccination programme, as well as awareness of heart attack symptoms among doctors treating patients with flu, the Independent reported.

"Our results endorse strategies to prevent influenza infection, including vaccination. They also advocate for a raised awareness among physicians and hospitalised flu patients for symptoms of heart attacks," lead author Dr Annemarijn de Boer, from the University was quoted as saying.

"While it isn't clear from our results if those with less severe flu are also at risk, it is prudent for them to be aware of the link," de Boer added.

The findings come amidst rising cases of flu in India, driven by the H3N2 virus.

For the study, the team analysed lab test results of 26,221 cases of influenza between 2008 and 2019, and compared them with death and hospital records.

About 401 patients had a heart attack in the year before or after a bout of flu -- some of them suffered more than one heart attack with the researchers noting 419 heart attacks in total.

Of the total heart attacks, 25 were in the first seven days after flu diagnosis, 217 within the year before diagnosis and 177 in the year after flu diagnosis - not including the first seven days, the report said.

About 35 per cent of patients who had a heart attack died, of any cause, within a year of being diagnosed with flu.

The findings will also be to the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Copenhagen in April.

According to a previous study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, flu virus plays a role in rupturing plaque, causing heart attacks. Annual flu shots, however, were found to reduce the risk.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, March 24 (IANSlife) The first time you hold your little bundle of joy in your arms is one of the most beautiful experiences you will ever have. Once you have your infant in your arms, you will find yourself examining every detail of their face, savouring their scent, and comforting them with your words and love.


Even though all of these actions may come easily to you, they are crucial for forging a bond with your newborn after birth. You should keep a lot of skin-to-skin contact with the infant during this period as it can help with bonding and support breastfeeding for mothers. Experts from Cetaphil discuss the value of skin-to-skin touch and how it can strengthen relationships.

Skin-to-skin contact in a nutshell

Skin-to-skin contact is the practice of drying and placing a baby directly on the mother's naked chest after birth, when both are wrapped in a warm blanket and left for at least an hour, or until after the first feed. Skin-to-skin contact can benefit babies for months after birth. Some experts also advise waiting three months for full-term newborns and six months for preterm babies. So, cuddle up with your newborn child and relish the pleasure of becoming a parent.

The link between bonding and skin-to-skin contact

Skin-to-skin contact not only helps keep the baby warm but is also the best way to bond with your newborn child. It has a direct influence on the mother-infant relationship. In addition, giving your baby a nice soothing massage is essential, the massage should always be about bonding, loving, and respecting your child. Furthermore, doing their skincare after a bath and allocating a certain time to do so will allow you to focus on your baby amid all the hustle and bustle, as well as soothe the baby. Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion, formulated with calming organic calendula and natural oils, is a gentle baby lotion that will soothe and nourish your baby's skin all day long. Bonding also aids your baby's mental and physical development. Touching, cuddling, talking, singing, and staring into each other's eyes, for example, can cause your newborn's brain to produce hormones. These hormones contribute to your baby's overall brain development.

Benefits of skin-to-skin contact

Aside from bonding, skin-to-skin contact provides several other advantages for both the mother and the baby. Here are some of the advantages:

Calms and relaxes mother and baby: it stimulates oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone," to be released in the mother

It aids in the contraction of the uterus, which lowers bleeding, as well as warms the mother's body,

Regulates the baby's heart rate, breathing, and body temperature, allowing them to better adapt to life outside the womb

Stimulates digestion and interest in feeding


Benefits of skin-to-skin contact for fathers

Skin-to-skin contact's benefits are not just limited to mothers. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact for fathers include bonding with their infant, feeling more confident as a father, and experiencing a rush of protectiveness towards their kid. Dads can provide the same benefits as mothers in terms of regulating their baby's temperature and heartbeat while also developing an emotional bond with their child.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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