www.medkart.in/blog

Blog

Is the concept of generic medicines new in India?

The concept of generic medicines is not new in India. In fact, India has a long history of producing and exporting generic medicines, and the country is often referred to as the “pharmacy of the developing world” due to its large and diverse pharmaceutical industry.

In India, the use of generic medicines has been encouraged as a means of increasing access to affordable and effective treatment options. The government has implemented various measures to promote the use of generic medicines, including price controls and incentives for healthcare providers to prescribe generic medicines.

Check WHO-GMP certified best quality generics at Medkart app and website.

To know more watch – https://youtube.com/shorts/KecDZZ81MFE

August 18, 2023
What is arthritis? What are its symptoms and its treatment?
What is arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation (swelling) of the joints due to multiple reasons. The tissue present in your joints aids the proper functioning of joints and prevents friction between bones. Any damage to the tissue at joints results in inflammation. Common arthritis symptoms are pain, redness, difficulty in movement and stiffness of joints.

About 15% of the population in India has arthritis. Arthritis symptoms are more common in women. People who are more active physically have fewer chances of having arthritis. The chances of experiencing arthritis symptoms increase with an increase in age.

Types of Arthritis and Their Causes

Commonly occurring types of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Juvenile arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
Arthritis Symptoms

The most commonly occurring signs and symptoms of arthritis include the following:
- Pain and tenderness in the joints
- Stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- Swelling or redness in the affected joints
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joints
- A grinding sensation when moving the affected joints
- Pain in the ankles when moving after sitting for a while
- Feeling of numbness in affected joints
Apart from this, some patients may experience nerve pain due to arthritis; this is similar to a stinging sensation. However, this is less common than the above mentioned symptoms.

Treatment of Arthritis

Treatment for different types of arthritis involves the use of the following medications:
1. Analgesics: These are medications that help reduce your pain.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): They reduce your pain as well as inflammation.
3. Steroids: They help reduce inflammation.
4. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These drugs help suppress one’s immune system, which then does not attack and damage the joints.
5. Topical creams: These creams help reduce your feeling of pain.
Patients should seek advice from a medical practitioner or doctor if they opt for a treatment option. Know more at Medkart Medicines.

Complementary Therapies for Arthritis

Complementary therapies are broadly classified into the following types:

1. Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional therapy includes the following:
- Special diets, such as fruits, fish, dairy products, etc., help maintain good health. They also help in reducing or maintaining proper body weight. This partly reduces the burden on joint/s.
- Dietary supplements like dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), methylsulphonylmethane (MSM), S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), glucosamine and chondroitin work in managing arthritis symptoms.
- Probiotics are a good option for reducing arthritis symptoms.
2. Psychological Therapy

Various psychological therapies are suggested for arthritis, like hypnosis, meditation, music therapies, relaxation therapies, etc. They help in relieving pain and relaxing.

3. Physical Therapy

Physical therapies help improve your strength, flexibility and movement of joints and improve your ability to use the damaged joint. They include the following:
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture proves considerably helpful in relieving arthritis pain.
- Massage: Massage therapy helps in improving pain and mobility.
4. Recreational Therapy

Therapies like tai chi, yoga, dance and art therapies are included here.
- Yoga: Yoga helps improve your strength, physical function, flexibility, relaxation and movement of joints.
- Tai chi: It improves pain, physical function and stiffness. It also reduces depression and provides a better quality of life.
5. Mindful Consumption

Mindful eating is an alternative solution to treating arthritis. It involves training the mind to recognize physical cues, experiences and cravings while eating your food. It helps control your eating habits, leading to weight loss and reducing unnecessary food consumption.

Multiple medications are available like analgesics, NSAIDs, steroids and topical creams, to manage arthritis and DMARDs to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Along with medications, various complementary treatments help in the better management of your arthritis symptoms. Make sure you take your medications timely and explore complementary treatments.

To read more informative articles on arthritis, visit Medkart today!

FAQs related to Arthritis

1. Is arthritis curable?

No, arthritis cannot be completely cured, but diagnosis and treatment at the right time can help manage the arthritis symptoms well and reduce its rate of progression.

2. What are the symptoms of arthritis?

As arthritis symptoms, you may usually observe pain in the affected joints, inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

3. What are the treatments for arthritis?

Arthritis treatment involves a combination of therapies. Along with medication, physical, psychological and nutritional therapies are also included. The treatment approaches focus on reducing pain, improving mobility and reducing joint damage.
August 18, 2023
How obesity leads to heart disease | Explained in 3 ways |FAQ
What Is Obesity?

Obesity is the accumulation of excess body fat. It is a condition in which a person gains a lot of weight, mostly because of fat accumulation, often for no evident reason. People with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more are considered overweight, and those with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.

Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases Overview

The three ways in which obesity causes heart disease are described in the following.

1.Increased Inflammation:

Obesity causes low-level chronic inflammation throughout the body, in the heart and blood vessels. Chronic inflammation can increase the risk of heart disease by promoting plaque buildup in the arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries and limit blood flow, thus increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Inflammation associated with obesity can also lead to stress, which damages cells and contributes to the development of heart disease.

2.High Blood Pressure:

Excess body weight stresses the heart and blood vessels, leading to elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease, as it causes the heart to work harder to pump blood and can damage the blood vessels over time. Obesity also contributes to insulin resistance, increasing blood pressure and promoting heart disease. In addition, individuals with obesity are more likely to have added risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, which can compound the effects of high blood pressure.

3.High Cholesterol:

Obesity is associated with high levels of ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and low levels of ‘good’ high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, narrow the arteries and limit blood flow. This increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. LDL cholesterol is the primary type of cholesterol that forms plaques in the arteries, whereas HDL cholesterol helps remove it. When the LDL cholesterol levels are high and HDL cholesterol levels are low, it increases the risk of heart disease. Obesity can also increase the production of a type of fat called triglycerides, which can further contribute to high cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

Obesity and Other Diseases

In addition to the three abovementioned factors, obesity contributes to other risk factors for heart disease, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and physical inactivity. These conditions can further increase the risk of heart disease and make it more difficult to manage.

Ischemic heart disease is a type of heart disease that occurs when the blood flow to the heart is restricted, usually due to plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. Obesity is a well-established risk factor for ischemic heart disease.

Types of obesity and its complications | Obesity – Questions and Answers

Rheumatic heart disease is a type of heart disease caused by rheumatic fever, a complication of streptococcal infections. However, obesity is a risk factor for streptococcal infections and other health conditions that can increase the risk of developing rheumatic heart disease.

Congenital heart disease is a type of heart disease that is present at birth. Obesity has not been linked directly to the development of congenital heart disease. However, obesity can increase the risk of developing secondary heart problems in individuals with congenital heart disease, such as heart failure.

Therefore, while obesity is not directly linked to rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease, it can increase the risk of other conditions contributing to its development and make it more difficult to manage.

Therefore, individuals with congenital heart disease and rheumatic heart disease need to consult their healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for their needs.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

The symptoms of heart disease in individuals with obesity may vary but usually include the following:
- Chest pain or discomfort: This may feel like pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the centre or left side of the chest.
- Shortness of breath: This may occur during physical activity or even at rest and can be a sign of heart failure or other heart problems.
- Fatigue: This can be a sign of heart disease, mainly if it occurs during physical activity or is accompanied by shortness of breath or chest discomfort.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet: This can be a sign of heart failure or other heart problems and may be more pronounced in individuals with obesity.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat: This can be a sign of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat and can be a sign of heart disease.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: This can be a sign of heart disease, mainly if it occurs during physical activity or is accompanied by chest discomfort or shortness of breath.
It is essential for individuals with obesity to be aware of these symptoms and to seek medical attention if they experience any of them.

Obesity and excess weight are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular illnesses. By maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in physical activity and following a heart-healthy diet, individuals can reduce their risk of developing heart disease and other obesity-related health problems.

To read more informative articles on obesity and heart diseases and buy medicines at affordable rates, visit the Medkart website today!

FAQs related Obesity and Heart Disease

1. Does obesity always lead to heart disease?

No, obesity does not always cause cardiac issues. However, it is one of the leading causes of cardiac diseases worldwide.

2. How can I improve my cardiac health?

Good sleep, a low-stress lifestyle, a healthy diet inclusive of fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise (at least 30 min every day for 5 days a week) are some of the many steps you can take to improve your cardiac health.

3. Should we avoid fats to maintain a healthy body weight?

No. Avoiding junk food, such as fried food, which is high in saturated fats, is necessary to maintain a healthy body weight. You can opt for healthier sources of fat, such as nuts and seeds.
August 18, 2023
Does smoking increase the risk of Gestational Diabetes

Most people know that smoking increases cancer risk, especially lung cancer. However, the impact of smoking during pregnancy on gestational diabetes is not frequently discussed. Smoking among pregnant women is a major concern as it leads to health problems for both the mother and the child. Therefore, smoking is a risk factor for gestational diabetes.

What is gestational diabetes?

https://unsplash.com/photos/y16sN3fCwIw

Gestational diabetes, or diabetes during pregnancy, is associated with high blood sugar levels as your body can’t make enough insulin during pregnancy. Due to the hormonal changes and weight gain associated with pregnancy, pregnant women may experience some amount of insulin resistance.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

1. Advancing maternal age

2. Maternal obesity

3. Smoking

4. Excessive alcohol intake

5. Maternal short stature

6. Genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus. Though there are various oral medications present, such as Sitamet 50/500mg Tablet, that are effective against type 2 Diabetes.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes

Research conducted on pregnant women shows that the prevalence of gestational diabetes was 19.8% in non-smokers, 24.3% in smokers who quit, and 26.6% in those who continued smoking till the first trimester. Chronic smoking increases insulin resistance by directly affecting insulin-mediated glucose uptake, pancreatic β-cell function, and insulin secretion.

Impact of smoking on the mother and baby’s health

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk for severe pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, perinatal mortality, and stillbirth, low birth weight offspring. Compared to non-smoking mothers, women who smoked in the first trimester of pregnancy gave birth to babies with lower birth weights.

Smoking also reduces the delivery of oxygen to the fetus, creating a greater demand for oxygen in the maternal body and increasing fetal and maternal stress. The baby is prone to develop respiratory illnesses later in life if the mother has been a smoker during pregnancy. Moreover, smoking during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of premature bleeding and other complications. Here’s how smoking can affect different health determinants:

1. Post-food glucose concentration

In pregnant women with gestational diabetes, 1-hour post-eating concentrations of glucose were higher. 2-hour post-eating concentrations were lower in women who smoked at the beginning of their pregnancy than non-smokers.

2. Oral glucose tolerance test

Compared to non-smokers, women who continued smoking after the first trimester had higher fasting and 1-hour glucose concentrations. Women who stopped smoking after the first trimester also had higher fasting glucose concentrations but not higher 1-hour glucose concentrations. Chronic cigarette smokers have lower insulin sensitivity compared with non-smokers.

3. HbA1c level

HbA1c is a test that measures the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. The HbA1c test is commonly used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. HbA1c was found to be higher in heavily smoking pregnant women.

Former smokers and current smokers with gestational diabetes require higher amounts of insulin compared to non-smokers. Pre-pregnancy smoking is also associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes. 2 pack-years of smoking (a pack-year is the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years the person has been smoking) can increase gestational diabetes risk by 50%. Smoking reduces HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol and increases triglycerides leading to an increased risk of obesity.

Smoking cessation is encouraged among pregnant women, as it reduces cardio-metabolic risk factors and improves blood sugar levels in people with gestational diabetes.

Conclusion

Smoking is associated with adverse outcomes on maternal and child health. It also increases the risk of gestational diabetes and negatively affects blood glucose regulation of the body leading to insulin resistance in the pregnant woman. Smoking cessation reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease and is thus encouraged in pregnant women to avoid the adverse effects of smoking. For more such information, head to the Medkart website today!

FAQ

1. Does smoking affect gestational diabetes?

Smoking can increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes. Mothers who continue to smoke after the first trimester have babies with low birth weight.

2. Can smoking during pregnancy lead to diabetes in the baby?

A study showed a 4 fold higher risk of type 1 diabetes among children whose mothers smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day during pregnancy.

3. What are the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy?

Smoking during pregnancy might increase the chances of:

• Low birth weight of the baby

• Lung diseases in the baby

• Miscarriage

• Stillbirth

3. Can smoking affect gestational diabetes testing?

Yes, the oral glucose tolerance test showed higher fasting glucose levels and higher glucose levels in the 1-hour glucose tolerance test, indicating low insulin sensitivity in smokers.

August 18, 2023
What are some health risks of overweight and obesity?

Overview – Overweight and Obesity

Do you know that excess weight or obesity can put pressure on the vital organs of your body? Obesity strains your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and joints. The risk factors of obesity include chronic health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, osteoarthritis and some cancers.

However, the good news is that not everyone with obesity has these conditions. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy body weight can help you manage these health conditions and lead a healthy life.

Read this article to understand the risks of obesity in detail.

The 10 risk factors of obesity

1. Type 2 diabetes:

Excessive abdominal fat in people with obesity leads to the production of excess fatty acids. This makes the body less sensitive to insulin, which results in high blood glucose levels or type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a major risk factor for obesity and leads to health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and eye problems.

2. High blood pressure:

Excess fat tissue increases the need for oxygen and nutrients in your body. Your heart needs to work harder to pump more blood through your body. This increase in blood circulation puts more pressure on the walls of the arteries. The added pressure leads to hypertension, which can damage your arteries and heart. High blood pressure increases the risk of kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.

3. High cholesterol:

Obesity causes a rise in LDL or bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also affects how your body manages cholesterol. Triglycerides from fatty acids give rise to high cholesterol. High cholesterol and triglyceride levels narrow the arteries, block the blood flow and increase the chances of a heart attack.

4. Heart disease:

Heart disease refers to conditions that adversely affect your heart. Heart disease is a severe risk factor resulting from obesity. With time, the fat deposits accumulate in your arteries and narrow them. Narrowed arteries cause a blockage in blood flow to your heart and increase the risk of a heart attack. High blood pressure, high blood glucose and high cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease.

5. Stroke:

When the blood supply to your brain gets cut off due to a blocked artery in the brain, it leads to a stroke. High blood pressure, a risk factor for obesity, is the primary cause of a stroke. A stroke can cause paralysis, difficulty eating, swallowing, mobility, depression and changes in behaviour.

6. Kidney disease:

High blood pressure and diabetes are the primary causes of kidney disease. These health conditions are also risk factors for obesity. In the case of kidney disease, your kidneys get damaged and thus fail to filter your blood. Obesity increases the chances of kidney disease and speeds up its progress.

7. Gallbladder disease:

Gallbladder diseases, such as gallbladder stones or cholecystitis (i.e., inflammation of the gallbladder) are some other risk factors for obesity. Gallstones are caused by excess cholesterol in your bile. Bile is a fluid stored in the gallbladder. It helps remove waste from the liver.

8. Sleep apnea:

Sleep apnea is a condition where you may stop breathing for a short time during sleep. This occurs due to excess fat stored around your neck, which obstructs your airway and causes it to shrink. Having a small airway may lead to difficulty breathing at night. It also causes loud snoring. Sleep apnea is closely linked to heart disease.

9. Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is also a risk factor for obesity. It causes pain and swelling in the joints and affects your movement. Lack of mobility causes weight gain. Being overweight puts pressure on your knees, joints and cartilage, which increases your risk of osteoarthritis.

10. Cancer

Obesity increases your chances of developing cancers like those of the breast, uterus, kidneys, pancreas, oesophagus and colon. These occur due to inflammation caused by visceral fat or fat surrounding the vital organs.

Summing up

Being overweight increases the risk factors for obesity. Losing as little as five kilos from your body weight can help reduce your abdominal fat. This, in turn, will ease your blood pressure, control your blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, stop sleep apnea and reduce the pressure on your joints. A regular exercise regimen, such as walking or cycling, and a balanced diet will help you achieve your healthy weight goals.

For more informative articles on chronic health conditions, visit the Medkart website today!

FAQs related to overweight and obesity?

1. Can obesity be treated?

Obesity is a chronic condition that develops over time. You will need consistent medical treatment and strict dietary and lifestyle changes to lose weight. However, these treatments have limited benefits. If you discontinue them, you may experience weight regain.

2. Can obesity affect fertility?

In women, obesity causes hormonal imbalances that affect their menstrual cycles, hamper their ovulation and cause infertility. Obesity also causes PCOS, in which the ovaries do not produce enough hormones, due to which the egg does not mature. This may lead to infertility.

3. Do children have obesity if their parents have obesity problems?

Children have a high chance of having obesity if their parents have it. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following a proper diet right from the beginning may help prevent excess weight gain in children.

August 18, 2023
જ્યારે તમે ગર્ભવતી હો ત્યારે તમારે જે વસ્તુઓ ચોક્કસપણે ન કરવી જોઈએ

જ્યારે તમે ગર્ભવતી થાઓ છો, ત્યારે ક્યારેક બધા નિષ્ણાત બની જાય છે અને તમને યોગા પેન્ટ પહેરવા અથવા તમારા વાળને કલર કરવા અથવા અન્ય કંઈક જેવા નાના પગલાઓ વિશે સલાહ આપે છે. તેઓ માત્ર સહાયક બનવાનો પ્રયાસ કરી રહ્યાં છે, બીજું કંઈ નથી, પરંતુ હકીકત એ છે કે, ‘તમે ગર્ભવતી હો તે પહેલાં તમે જે મોટાભાગની વસ્તુઓ કરી શકો છો તે તમે જ્યારે ગર્ભવતી હો ત્યારે પણ કરી શકાય છે. જો કે, જ્યારે તમે સગર્ભા હોવ અને સ્તનપાન કરાવતા હોવ, ત્યારે તમારે તમારી પોતાની અને તમારા બાળકની સલામતી માટે ચોક્કસ પગલાં લેવા જોઈએ અથવા કેટલીક પ્રવૃત્તિઓ ટાળવી જોઈએ. અહીં એવી પાંચ મુખ્ય બાબતો છે જે ગર્ભવતી મહિલાએ ન કરવી જોઈએ

1. આ ખાદ્ય પદાર્થો ખાશો કે પીશો નહીં:

જ્યારે તમે ગર્ભવતી હો ત્યારે તમારે અમુક ખોરાક ન ખાવા જોઈએ કારણ કે તે તમને અથવા તમારા બાળકને નુકસાન પહોંચાડી શકે છે. તમે જે ખોરાક લો છો તેના વિશે સાવચેત રહો કારણ કે ગર્ભાવસ્થા દરમિયાન અમુક ખોરાકને ઝેર માનવામાં આવે છે. તાજો રાંધેલો અથવા તાજો બનાવેલો ખોરાક ખાવા માટે શ્રેષ્ઠ ખોરાક છે. સોફ્ટ ચીઝ, કાચું કે અધુરું રાંધેલું ઈંડું અથવા માંસ, સુશી, પાશ્ચરાઈઝ્ડ દૂધ વગેરે જેવા ખોરાકમાં લિસ્ટેરિયા હોય છે, જે બાળકમાં કસુવાવડ અથવા બીમારી માટે જવાબદાર ઝેરી બેક્ટેરિયમ છે. ઉપરાંત, મગફળીનું વધુ પડતું સેવન ટાળો કારણ કે તેનાથી બાળકને એલર્જી થઈ શકે છે. આ ઉપરાંત, પેકેજ્ડ ખોરાક અથવા વધુ પડતો ખાંડયુક્ત ખોરાક બ્લડ પ્રેશર અથવા ઇન્સ્યુલિન કરી શકે છે, જે તમારા સ્વાસ્થ્ય માટે હાનિકારક હશે.

તદુપરાંત, કસુવાવડ, ઓછું જન્મ વજન અને મુશ્કેલ જન્મનું જોખમ ઉચ્ચ સ્તરના કેફીન દ્વારા વધી શકે છે. ચા, કોફી, ચોકલેટ, એનર્જી ડ્રિંક્સ અને સોફ્ટ ડ્રિંક્સ જેવા ઘણા ખોરાકમાં કેફીન હોય છે. ઉપરાંત, કેટલીક શરદી અને ફ્લૂની દવાઓમાં કેફીન હોય છે. તેથી, ખાતરી કરો કે તમે દરરોજ 300mg કરતાં વધુ કેફીનનું સેવન વધારશો નહીં, કારણ કે તે તમારા નવજાત બાળક માટે જોખમી હોઈ શકે છે.

2. હોટ ટબ અને સોનાનો ઉપયોગ કરવાનું ટાળો:

જ્યારે તમે સગર્ભાવસ્થા દરમિયાન પીડા અને અસ્વસ્થતા અનુભવો છો ત્યારે તમને ગરમ ટબમાં આરામ કરવો અથવા સૌના લેવાનું યોગ્ય લાગે છે. જો કે, આ જોખમી હોઈ શકે છે કારણ કે જ્યારે તમે હોટ ટબ અથવા સૌનામાં વધુ સમય પસાર કરો છો, ત્યારે તમારા શરીરનું તાપમાન 101 થી વધુ વધી શકે છે. આ ખાસ કરીને તમારી ગર્ભાવસ્થાના પહેલા ભાગમાં જોખમી છે, કારણ કે તે કસુવાવડની શક્યતાઓને વધારે છે.

આમ, તમારી પીડા માટે અથવા આરામ અનુભવવા માટે, સગર્ભા સ્ત્રીઓએ ગરમ ટબ લેવું જોઈએ અને હોટ ટબ અથવા સોનાને બદલે ગરમ અને ઠંડા કોમ્પ્રેસનો ઉપયોગ કરવો જોઈએ.

3. ધૂમ્રપાન અથવા પીશો નહીં:

આલ્કોહોલ અથવા તમાકુના સેવન માટે કોઈ ઓછી મર્યાદા નથી કારણ કે થોડી માત્રા બાળક માટે જોખમી હોઈ શકે છે. ધૂમ્રપાન અને આલ્કોહોલના પ્રિનેટલ એક્સપોઝરને કારણે સડન ઇન્ફન્ટ ડેથ સિન્ડ્રોમનું જોખમ વધે છે. જ્યારે માતા આલ્કોહોલ પીવે છે, ત્યારે તે પ્લેસેન્ટાને પાર કરે છે અને વધતા ગર્ભ સુધી પહોંચે છે. વિકાસશીલ બાળકનું શરીર પુખ્ત વયની સરખામણીએ આલ્કોહોલને ખૂબ ધીમી રીતે તોડે છે, તેથી ગર્ભનું લોહીનું આલ્કોહોલ તેની માતાના સ્તર કરતાં ઘણું વધારે વધી શકે છે અને તેની માતા કરતાં વધુ લાંબું રહી શકે છે. આનાથી નુકસાન થાય છે જે માનસિક વિલંબથી લઈને હૃદયના નુકસાન સુધી લાંબા ગાળાના અને ગંભીર હોઈ શકે છે.

એ જ રીતે, ધૂમ્રપાન તમારા અને તમારા બાળક માટે ભારે હાનિકારક છે. નિકોટિન, કાર્બન મોનોક્સાઇડ અને અન્ય ઘણા સિગારેટથી શ્વાસમાં લેવાયેલા ઝેર તમારા લોહીના પ્રવાહમાંથી પસાર થાય છે અને સીધા તમારા બાળક સુધી જાય છે. સગર્ભાવસ્થા દરમિયાન નિષ્ક્રિય ધૂમ્રપાન પણ ઓછું જન્મ વજન, પ્રારંભિક જન્મ અથવા જ્યારે તમારું બાળક વધે ત્યારે વર્તણૂકીય સમસ્યાઓનું કસુવાવડ તરફ દોરી શકે છે. આનું કારણ સેકન્ડ હેન્ડ સ્મોક છે સિગારેટના ધુમાડાનું ધુમ્રપાન કરનારાઓ દ્વારા ઉત્સર્જન કરવામાં આવતા ધુમાડા સાથેનું મિશ્રણ. સિગારેટના ધુમાડામાં સામાન્ય રીતે ધુમ્રપાન કરનાર શ્વાસમાં લીધેલા ધુમાડા કરતાં વધુ ઝેરી પદાર્થો (ટાર, કાર્બન મોનોક્સાઇડ, નિકોટિન વગેરે) ધરાવે છે. આ કારણે સેકન્ડ હેન્ડ સ્મોક વધુ ખતરનાક છે.

4. બિલાડીના કચરાને સાફ કરશો નહીં:

સગર્ભાવસ્થા દરમિયાન, જો તમે બિલાડીનો કચરા સાફ કરો છો, તો ટોક્સોપ્લાઝ્મોસીસ થવાની શક્યતાઓ વધી જાય છે કારણ કે બિલાડીના કચરા/મૂળમાં આવા ચેપ માટે જવાબદાર પરોપજીવી હોય છે. ટી. ગોંડી પરોપજીવી તમારા ગર્ભ સુધી પહોંચી શકે છે અને માનસિક મંદતા, અંધત્વ અને વાઈ સહિતની ગૂંચવણો ઊભી કરી શકે છે. ખૂબ જ દુર્લભ હોવા છતાં, જો તમે સગર્ભા થવાના થોડા મહિના પહેલા બિલાડીના મળના સંપર્કમાં આવો તો પણ ચેપ અજાત બાળકને ટ્રાન્સફર કરશે અને અસર કરશે. તેથી, જ્યારે તમે સગર્ભા હોવ અથવા ગર્ભાવસ્થાની યોજના બનાવો ત્યારે સાવચેત રહો.

ગ્લોવ્ઝ, માસ્ક પહેરો અને પછીથી તમારા હાથને સારી રીતે ધોઈ લો જો તમારે બિલાડીનો કચરા સાફ કરવાનો હોય.

5. પેઇન્ટ અને હેર ડાઇ ટાળો:

તમારા બાળકને નુકસાન પહોંચાડતા આધુનિક ઘરગથ્થુ રંગો અથવા વાળના રંગોના ધૂમાડાનું જોખમ ઓછું છે, પરંતુ તમે જાણી શકતા નથી કે જોખમ કેટલું ઓછું છે. કારણ કે પેઇન્ટિંગ અથવા વાળ ડાઇંગ જેવી પ્રવૃત્તિઓ દરમિયાન તમારું શરીર જે પદાર્થો અને રસાયણોને શોષી લે છે તે માપવા ખૂબ મુશ્કેલ છે. વાળના રંગમાં રસાયણો આજકાલ ન્યૂનતમ છે; જો કે, તે કંપની ટુ કંપની પર આધાર રાખે છે; આમ, સગર્ભાવસ્થા દરમિયાન વાળને રંગવાનું ટાળવું વધુ સારું છે.

ઘરના નવીનીકરણથી લીડ વધશે. ઉપરાંત, સીસા આધારિત પેઇન્ટ હવામાં અને ઘરમાં સીસાનું પ્રદૂષણ ફેલાવી શકે છે, જે બાળક માટે હાનિકારક હોઈ શકે છે. જ્યારે તમારા બાળકના અંગનો વિકાસ થવા લાગે છે, ત્યારે બાળક માટે કોઈ પણ પ્રકારનું જોખમ તમારા પ્રથમ અર્ધમાં સૌથી વધુ હોય છે. આ સમયે, હાનિકારક ધુમાડો અથવા રસાયણો તમારા બાળકને વધુ ગંભીર અસર કરી શકે છે. સાવચેતી તરીકે, તમારી ગર્ભાવસ્થાના 14મા અઠવાડિયા સુધી પેઇન્ટિંગ અને સુશોભન ટાળવું જોઈએ.

સારાંશ માટે…

ઉપર જણાવેલ બાબતો સિવાય, ગર્ભાવસ્થા દરમિયાન, વ્યક્તિએ સારી મૌખિક સ્વચ્છતા જાળવવી જોઈએ, હાઇડ્રેટેડ રહેવું જોઈએ, પુષ્કળ પ્રવાહી લેવું જોઈએ, માત્ર તાજો ખોરાક લેવો જોઈએ, અને અયોગ્ય તણાવ ન લેવો જોઈએ, ખુશ રહેવું જોઈએ અને સારી ઊંઘ લેવી જોઈએ. તમારું સ્વાસ્થ્ય જાળવવું એ શ્રેષ્ઠ ભેટ છે જે માતા બાળકને આપી શકે છે.

ગર્ભાવસ્થા એ જવાબદારી સાથે આશીર્વાદ છે. તમારે હાનિકારક ખોરાક અને પીણાંથી દૂર રહીને, તમાકુ અને આલ્કોહોલથી દૂર રહીને અને તમારી જાતને પેઇન્ટ, વાળના રંગો, બિલાડીઓ અને સૌનાથી દૂર રાખીને તમારી અને તમારા નવજાત બાળકની સારી કાળજી લેવી જોઈએ. આમ, ગર્ભાવસ્થા દરમિયાન આ થોડી સાવચેતીઓ જરૂરી છે.

August 18, 2023
How to identify which generic is of best quality?

There are several ways to identify high-quality generic medicines:

Look for a trusted source: You can typically find high-quality generic medicines at a licensed pharmacy, either in person or online. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for recommendations. Visit www.medkart.in/blog a trusted pharmacy of 300+ crore customers

Check for proper labeling and packaging: High-quality generic medicines should be properly labeled and packaged. This includes information about the active ingredients, the manufacturer, and the expiration date.

Look for the appropriate approvals or certifications on the packaging of the medicine. At Medkart you will find WHO-GMP approved medicines.

Talk to your Pharmacists: If you have concerns about the quality of a particular generic medicine, you should speak with your pharmacist. They can provide guidance on how to identify high-quality generic medicines and can recommend a reputable source. Visit Medkart pharmacy for guidance on quality generics.

Check WHO-GMP certified best quality generics at Medkart app and website.

To know more watch – https://youtube.com/shorts/Kop2tfT1G4I

August 18, 2023
डॉक्टरों, अस्पतालों और एमआर के बीच फार्मा उद्योग में कमीशन नेक्सस को समझना

हम हमेशा इस बारे में मुखर रहे हैं कि डॉक्टर के पास जाने से लेकर प्रिस्क्रिप्शन लेने और दवा खरीदने तक का पूरा तंत्र कैसे काम करता है। यहां तक कि जिस तरह से हम दवाएं खरीदते हैं, उसमें बहुत कम या कोई दिमाग नहीं होता है क्योंकि हम बस जाते हैं और पर्चे में जो लिखा होता है उसे खरीदते हैं। और हमारा सवाल न करना निम्नलिखित संस्थाओं द्वारा हमारे शोषण पर निर्भर करता है;

– डॉक्टर के पास हम जाते हैं

– अस्पताल जहां हमारे प्रियजन या हम भर्ती हैं

– दवा कंपनियां

– चिकित्सा प्रतिनिधि

– ड्रग स्टोर

आप में से अधिकांश को ब्रांडेड दवा के नुस्खे दिए जाते हैं जिनकी कीमत सामान्य से अधिक होती है। लगभग 75% ब्रांडेड दवा निर्माता जेनरिक का निर्माण कर रहे हैं जिनकी कीमत ब्रांडेड दवाओं की तुलना में 60% कम है। ऐसा क्यों? वे उसी अनुपालन का पालन करते हैं और उसी परिसर में बने होते हैं। फिर भी कीमत में इतना भारी अंतर है। कारण सरल है – सांठगांठ में हर कोई पाई का अपना हिस्सा खाता है।

इन्हीं लोगों की वजह से आप ज्यादा दवाइयां दे रहे हैं। आइए जानें कि कैसे दवा खरीदारों को ब्रांडेड दवाएं अधिक कीमत पर बेची जाती हैं।

A. मेडिकल स्टोर्स का कमीशन-संचालित बिजनेस मॉडल

जब भी आप किसी दवाई की दुकान पर दवाइयाँ खरीदने जाते हैं, तो आप केवल डॉक्टर या उसके क्लिनिक के नाम वाले नुस्खे को सौंप देंगे। और अक्सर, आपको डॉक्टर के क्लिनिक के पास या इसके विपरीत एक दवा की दुकान मिल जाएगी, जिसमें निर्धारित दवाएं केवल क्लिनिक के बगल वाले स्टोर में ही उपलब्ध होंगी। आपके द्वारा खरीदी जाने वाली प्रत्येक दवा की लागत निर्माताओं, मेडिकल स्टोर के मालिकों और डॉक्टरों के बीच विभाजित होती है। डॉक्टरों को पास की मेडिकल दुकान द्वारा बेची जाने वाली कुछ दवाओं को लिखने पर कमीशन मिलता है। उनका नेटवर्क विशाल है और न केवल आसपास के इलाकों में कुछ दुकानों तक ही सीमित है। एक दवा खरीदार के रूप में, डॉक्टर और यहां तक कि मेडिकल स्टोर के मालिक से भी पूछताछ करके दवाओं की सामग्री जानने का आपका अधिकार है। और आप जेनरिक रिप्लेसमेंट के लिए भी कह सकते हैं और अंतर को समझने के लिए इसे स्वयं आजमा सकते हैं क्योंकि कोई नहीं है।

B. मेडिकल रिप्रेजेंटेटिव छोटे क्लीनिकों के साथ टाईअप कर रहे हैं

जैसा कि ऊपर उल्लेख किया गया है, अधिकांश छोटे क्लीनिक और व्यक्तिगत चिकित्सा पेशेवर मेडिकल स्टोर के साथ गठजोड़ करते हैं; वे चिकित्सा प्रतिनिधियों (MRs) के साथ भी हाथ मिलाते हैं। एमआर द्वारा डॉक्टरों को कुछ दवाएं उपहार के रूप में दी जाती हैं, और ये प्रमुख फार्मा कंपनियों और एजेंसियों से आती हैं। फिर से, इनमें से कुछ दवाएं प्रायोगिक आधार पर प्रदान की जाती हैं ताकि खपत पर रोगियों पर इसके प्रभावों की जांच की जा सके। आप पड़ोस में जनरल फिजिशियन से अपनी पिछली मुलाकात को याद कर सकते हैं और उन पीले, सफेद और गुलाबी कैप्सूल के बारे में सोच सकते हैं। जिनके पास कोई ब्रांड या लेबल नहीं है लेकिन आपको बिना किसी शुल्क के दिया जाता है। ऐसी दवाओं का दस्तावेजीकरण नहीं किया जाता है, और कोई लागत या बिलिंग नहीं की जाती है, जो अपने आप में खतरनाक है क्योंकि यह कर लाभ का दावा करने के लिए उद्योग में बिक्री संवर्धन के क्षेत्र में आती है।

C. फार्मास्युटिकल कंपनियां हॉस्पिटल चेन के साथ गठजोड़ करती हैं

इस नेटवर्क में एक अन्य संस्था अस्पतालों की श्रृंखला है जो बड़ी दवा कंपनियों के साथ संबंध रखती है। चूंकि बड़े अस्पतालों में मरीजों की संख्या अधिक होती है, इसलिए लाभ का मार्जिन गठजोड़ में सभी के लिए अधिक महत्वपूर्ण हो जाता है – डॉक्टर, फार्मा स्टोर, कंपनियां और अस्पताल। कार्य उन मॉडलों के समान है जिनकी हमने ऊपर चर्चा की थी, हालांकि एक अंतर के साथ। यहां, विशिष्ट ब्रांड नाम वाली दवाओं की सिफारिश करके अस्पताल श्रृंखलाओं को लाभ का काफी हिस्सा मिल रहा है। बड़ी संख्या में बेड वाले अस्पतालों के साथ गठजोड़ करके फार्मा कंपनियां उच्च बिक्री को बढ़ावा देती हैं। और चूंकि आपूर्ति श्रृंखला में कई एजेंट हैं, यहां हर किसी को कटौती का अपना हिस्सा मिलता है, जिसमें अस्पताल में आने वाले डॉक्टर भी शामिल हैं जिनके हस्ताक्षर आपके नुस्खे पर हैं।

याद रखें, इनमें से कोई भी एजेंट जेनरिक की सिफारिश नहीं करता है क्योंकि इससे उन्हें कोई लाभ नहीं होता है, और इसलिए आपको हमेशा दवाओं के लिए अधिक भुगतान करना पड़ेगा। पैसे बचाने और शोषण से बचने का सबसे अच्छा तरीका है सतर्क रहना और अधिकारियों की बातों पर सवाल उठाना। इसका मतलब है कि आपको डॉक्टरों से सवाल करना चाहिए जब वे दवाएं लिखते हैं, फार्मा विक्रेता से पूछें कि वे आपको क्या दे रहे हैं, और अस्पतालों से भी आपको जेनेरिक लिखने के लिए कहें। हम पहले ही इस बारे में बात कर चुके हैं कि जेनरिक ब्रांडेड की तुलना में कैसे प्रभावी होते हैं <सूची से लिंक>, इसलिए आपको गुणवत्ता के बारे में चिंता करने की आवश्यकता नहीं है।

August 18, 2023
Best Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy!

Keep your heart healthy with these tips

Heart diseases are on the rise. This is a sign for people to take action to protect themselves. Simple changes in your lifestyle can go a long way in improving your heart health. Here are simple tips for good heart health:

Eat heart-healthy food

Choose foods that are high in nutrition and low in calories, like:

• Fruits and vegetables: They are a rich source of multiple vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.

• Whole grains: Replace refined grains with whole grains as they are rich in fibre and other nutrients

• Healthy fats: Healthy fats reduce your total blood cholesterol and keep your blood vessels from getting blocked. Olive oil, nuts, seeds, and nut oils are good sources of healthy fats. Choose them over unhealthy fat sources like butter, palm oil, cotton seed oil, etc

• Proteins: Include proteins like pulses, fish, low-fat dairy products, eggs etc., in your diet. They are low in fat and high in nutrients and fibre.

• Low-sodium foods: You should prefer food with less salt. High salt intake can cause high blood pressure, leading to heart problems. So, you must limit your salt intake by consuming home cooked food with less salt and avoiding packaged and processed foods.

Quit smoking

Smoking can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. So if you smoke, you should choose to quit it. Take help or support if needed. Also, you should keep away from places and people who smoke. The smoke from cigarettes also increases the risk of heart disease.

Be active

Avoid sitting for a long time. Take a break between work and get up and take a stroll. Engage in heart-healthy exercises for at least 30 minutes a day. Go for a long walk, swim, ride a bike, dance, or practise a sport. It helps to keep your heart strong and your body weight in check. This tip goes a long way in keeping your heart healthy.

Keep a check on your weight

A healthy BMI can keep you safe from heart disorders. If you are overweight, you have greater chances of a stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease etc. Even if you are not overweight but have excess belly fat, you could be at risk of heart disease.

Get enough sleep

If your sleep is disturbed or insufficient, you could increase your risk of heart problems. Less sleep has been shown to increase the risk of stroke or heart attack. Not getting enough sleep can disturb your biological processes and cause hormonal imbalances. Hence, you must ensure that you get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Engage in good sleep practices like going to bed on time, putting mobile phones away one hour before sleep, putting on calming music etc.

Manage your stress

Stress can increase the risk of heart disorders by increasing your blood pressure, pulse rate and breathing. These could lead to more severe heart issues. To keep your stress in check, practise meditation, yoga, deep breathing, relaxation exercises, etc.

Know your heart numbers

Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI are important heart health indicators. You must keep a check on them and measure them at regular intervals.

Prioritise heart health

Keeping your heart healthy needs simple day-to-day changes like eating a heart-healthy diet and ensuring a healthy, stress-free lifestyle. Avoiding smoking and monitoring the basic heart health parameters are also useful steps. Keep these tips in mind and follow them regularly to keep your heart in good shape.

Medicines can also play a major role in determining your heart function, especially if you have been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition. If you are looking for a trusted source for your medication, visit the Medkart website today!

FAQs

1. Do young people have heart risks?

Yes. Doctors recommend that after 30, you should get yourself checked routinely.

2. How can you keep your heart healthy?

Here are a few tips to keep a heart healthy:

• Exercise

• Eat healthy

• Reduce stress

• Quit smoking

• Maintain your weight

• Keep a check on blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol

3. Do heart diseases run in the family?

Yes, heart diseases are hereditary, so if it runs in your family, you should get yourself checked by a cardiac specialist and follow the tips to keep your heart healthy.

August 18, 2023
Are You at Risk for Diabetes? This Simple Test Can Tell

Diabetes Risk

Knowing whether you are at risk of diabetes helps you to take the necessary steps early on. You can make the required changes in your lifestyle, like eating healthy, losing weight, exercising etc., and prevent this illness and other risks like stroke, heart disease, kidney disorders or nerve damage. To confirm whether you are at risk, doctors recommend the HbA1c test.

What is HbA1c?

The HbA1c test shows your average blood sugar levels for the last 2-3 months. It is the main test used for diagnosing diabetes.

Sugar enters your blood from the food you eat. Your cells use it for energy. But if your sugar levels increase in the blood when it is not used by your cells or when your body makes less insulin, they stick to the haemoglobin in your blood. When the blood sugar levels increase, more haemoglobin is attached to sugar. The HbA1c test measures these sugar-coated haemoglobin levels.

How is this test done?

It is a simple test where a blood sample is taken from your finger or arm. You do not need to fast for this test. It would help if you have got this test done by a registered practitioner.

What do the test results say?

The below table mentions the test result ranges and what they mean.

HbA1c test result range Interpretation Significance

Below 5.7% Normal It means your blood sugar is normal and you do not have any risk of developing diabetes

5.7 to 6.4% Prediabetes This means that you have slightly high blood sugar levels and you are at risk of developing diabetes

6.5% or more Diabetes This result means you have diabetes and you need to follow your doctor’s recommendations

How often should this test be done?

Based on your condition, the frequency of this test varies.

Condition Frequency of test

Prediabetes About once every year

Type 2 diabetes with blood sugar levels in a healthy range and no requirement for insulin About two times a year

Effective medicine for prediabetes & type 2 diabetes 👉 Sitamet 50/500 mg tablet/Empaone 25mg Tablet/Linares E Tablet.

Type 1 diabetes 3-4 times every year

In case of a change of medication or other treatment As required

Who needs to take this test?

There are conditions that put you at high risk of diabetes and require you to take this test

at regular intervals. These conditions are:

• A family (parents or siblings) history of type 2 diabetes

• High blood pressure or high cholesterol

• Obesity

• Stroke or heart problems

• Less physical activity, exercising less than three times a week

• A history of gestational diabetes (diabetes at the time of pregnancy)

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

• Sleep disorders

• Hormonal conditions

Conditions that affect the results of this test

The HbA1c test could give false results in the case of the following:

• Anaemia or other haemoglobin-related diseases

• Few medicines like vitamins C and E supplements, pain killers like opioids etc.

• Kidney disorders

• Liver disorders

• Pregnancy

• High cholesterol levels

• Loss of blood or transfusion

Diabetes is a serious condition that could cause other complications like heart problems, kidney disorders or nervous disorders. It is necessary to know whether you are at risk of diabetes. A simple HbA1c test can help you and your healthcare provider to decide on your treatment plans and medications. Know more about your Medicines at Medkart, which is an online pharmacy platform that makes buying medicines convenient & cost-effective. To place your orders, download the app today!

FAQs

1. Is there a test that tells if you are at risk of having diabetes?

Yes. HbA1c is a basic test that helps to determine if you are at risk of diabetes or if you have prediabetes or diabetes.

2. Can I do HbA1c test at home?

No. You need to get this test done with a registered medical practitioner.

3. Does this test require fasting?

No. The HbA1c test does not require you to fast, but if you are taking any other test along with it, you might need to fast. Please consult your doctor about this.

4. When can you say your result is normal?

If your HbA1c test results are below 5.7%, then your result is normal, and you are not at risk of having diabetes.

August 18, 2023