COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that is caused by bacteria
(germs) that attack the lungs or other parts of the body such as the kidney,
spine or brain. If not treated properly, TB can be fatal. Approximately one-third
of the world’s population - over 2 billion people - is infected with tuberculosis
bacteria. More than 9 million become sick with TB disease annually.

HOW TO PROTECT OUR BODY FROM TUBERCULOSIS?

We should avoid close contact to person who has tuberculosis. If you

cannot avoid contact with them, wear protective masks and gloves. If you work
at a hospital, wear good-quality microfiltration masks. Wash your hands with a
disinfectant cleanser after contact with the patient. Avoid crowded, stuffy and
unhygienic places. We should also enhance our immunity. Work on improving
your immunity by including diet rich in antioxidants. Have at least 4-5 servings
of fresh vegetables and fruits every day. If you cannot eat it due to certain
practical constraints, make sure you take your daily dose of
antioxidants/multivitamins after consulting your doctor. Antioxidants help
fight free radicals produced in the body due to any kind of disease/stress and
help in cell repair. Next is consuming a healthy, nutrient-rich meal. Do not go
on a low-carbohydrate diet. You require a good mix of all the elements of food
to be healthy. Carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and fats all have their place in
maintaining your immune system. Make it a habit to exercise regularly. Get
our daily exercise. Walk regularly for atleast 45 minutes at the least. The
improved circulation improves your immunity. We should also try meditation to
improve our quality of life, set aside a few minutes for meditation every day.
This reduces your daily stress which directly has a bearing on the condition of
your immune system and the last is always maintained proper hygiene and
sanitation. Maintain good hygiene, wherever you are. Washing hands with a
good disinfectant soap often is a very under-valued habit. These days, when
your exposure to diseases is at one of the highest levels, you just cannot
neglect this simple habit.
 MEASLES

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that is spread

through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Symptoms of measles are
rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people who
become sick with measles also get an ear infection, diarrhea, or a serious lung
infection, such as pneumonia. Although severe cases are rare, measles can
cause swelling of the brain and even death. Measles can be especially severe in
infants and in people who are malnourished or who have weakened immune
systems (such as from HIV infection or cancer or from certain drugs or
therapies).

HOW TO PROTECT OUR BODY FROM MEASLES?

In order to protect our body from measles we should wash our hands
frequently. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub
that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or
your sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Avoid sharing utensils, water bottles
or other items contaminated by saliva or respiratory secretions. Try to avoid
close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups,
with people who are sick..
 NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
ASTHMA

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and

produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing,
wheezing and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor
nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily
activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Asthma can't be
cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over
time, it's important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and
symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

HOW TO PROTECT OUR BODY FROM ASTHMA?

Since most asthma attacks in children are caused by an allergic reaction,

there's a lot that parents can do to prevent or reduce asthma symptoms by
limiting their child's exposure to allergens. Here are four major steps:

1. Limit dust exposure. Babies and toddlers spend eight to ten hours a day in
their rooms, so removing dust from their immediate area is a great place to
start. Here's how to cut down on the dust in your child's room.

 Remove carpets and heavy drapes

 Wash all bedding and stuffed animals frequently in hot water
 Purchase allergen-barrier coverings for the pillows and mattresses

2. Protect your child from tobacco smoke. This is a significant asthma

trigger. Some people think that smoking in a different room or outside is safe
enough, but tobacco smoke gets into your hair and clothes, and your child
then inhales it when you pick him up and snuggle with him. Having everyone
in your household quit is the best option. If that's not possible, have smokers
wear different shirts and cover their hair when they smoke.

3. Reduce or eliminate the pet factor. Many kids are allergic to pet dander.
It's best not to keep a pet at home if it triggers your child's reactions. If that's
not possible, at least keep the cat or dog out of the baby's room.

4. Kill those roaches. Even the cleanest homes can have problems with
cockroaches. This is a common allergen for urban children with asthma, and
parents should do all they can to eliminate cockroaches from their homes. This
includes frequently taking out the trash and not leaving pet food sitting out.
Also, seal up any openings where cockroaches could enter -- including leaky
pipes.
 DIABETES

Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of

sugar (glucose) in the blood. Insulin produced by the pancreas lowers blood
glucose. Absence or insufficient production of insulin, or an inability of the
body to properly use insulin causes diabetes. Diabetes is a disease in which
your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the
foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to
give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With
type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use
insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood. You can
also have prediabetes. This means that your blood sugar is higher than normal
but not high enough to be called diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a
higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Over time, having too much glucose in
your blood can cause serious problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, and
nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke and even the need to
remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational
diabetes. Blood tests can show if you have diabetes. One type of test, the A1C,
can also check on how you are managing your diabetes. Exercise, weight
control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes. You
should also monitor your blood glucose level and take medicine if prescribed.

HOW TO PROTECT OUR BODY FROM DIABETES?

1. Get more physical activity

There are many benefits to regular physical activity. Exercise can help you:

 Lose weight
  Lower your blood sugar
 Boost your sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep your blood sugar
within a normal range

Research shows that aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control
diabetes. The greatest benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both.

2. Get plenty of fiber

It's rough, it's tough — and it may help you:

 Reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control

 Lower your risk of heart disease
 Promote weight loss by helping you feel full

Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts.

3. Go for whole grains

It's not clear why, but whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help
maintain blood sugar levels. Try to make at least half your grains whole grains.
Many foods made from whole grains come ready to eat, including various
breads, pasta products and cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package
and among the first few items in the ingredient list.

4. Lose extra weight

If you're overweight, diabetes prevention may hinge on weight loss. Every

pound you lose can improve your health, and you may be surprised by how
much. Participants in one large study who lost a modest amount of weight —
around 7 percent of initial body weight — and exercised regularly reduced the
risk of developing diabetes by almost 60 percent.

5. Skip fad diets and just make healthier choices

Low-carb diets, the glycemic index diet or other fad diets may help you lose
weight at first. But their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known, nor
are their long-term effects. And by excluding or strictly limiting a particular
food group, you may be giving up essential nutrients. Instead, make variety
and portion control part of your healthy-eating plan.