The 5 ways in which you spread germs …and your hands are the culprit.

Would you believe it if anyone told you that you were responsible for spreading germs? Most likely not, but if you have been doing so, it is an inadvertent mistake. Wily germs pass from people to people in the most innocuous ways. Knowing how germs spread can help you break the cycle of transmission.

This is how germs spread:

1 From hands to yourself: If your hands harbour infectious germs, they have the potential to enter your system in a fair few ways. The most common way of germ transmission is touching your face with unclean hands. Germs can enter your body on contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. This is how most infectious germs that cause gastric upsets, or cough, cold and flu are passed on from the environment to you.

2 From hands to surfaces: Just like unclean surfaces can make your hands dirty, so can dirty hands infect clean surfaces. An infected surface can transfer the germs to others. Surfaces can also get dirty when someone coughs or sneezes nearby, or leaves used tissues lying around, or does not wipe up spilled food or drinks immediately. Unclean surfaces such as elevator buttons, handrails, telephone buttons, computer keyboards, door knobs, faucets etc. can spread germs to hands touching them.

3 From persons to your hands: Some people are guilty of spreading germs through sheer carelessness. They may cough or sneeze without covering their faces. Or they may sneeze into tissues and leave them lying about instead of disposing them in the trash. At other times, some people who are ill with infectious diseases like flu, chicken pox, conjunctivitis and cold may show up for work or attend school. Being in close contact with sick persons dramatically increases the chances of contracting the infection.

4 From hands to food: You may forget to wash your hands after eating or going to the restroom. Or you may handle a sick baby’s diaper and not wash your hands thereafter. Imagine if your hands are rife with germs, and you start cooking food. The germs are transferred from your hands to plates, spoons and raw food. Eating food contaminated with your germs, or germs picked up from unclean chopping boards or cutlery, can cause digestive disorders and allergies.

5 From pets to people: Playing with your pet gives you immense joy. But pets pick up fleas, ticks and dirt in their fur. They might go out and roll about in the mud, or suffer from a skin rash, or even eat something that makes them fall sick. Handling your pet is important, but exercising caution is even more vital. If you forget to wash your hands with soap after playing or cleaning your pet, your hands can carry and transfer germs to other surfaces and people.

Now that you know how germs spread, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe by maintaining good hand and home hygiene. 

How to Overcome the Constant Problem of Bladder?

Incontinence, overactive bladder, frequent urination, is some of the common bladder problems that occur when your bladder weakens. These bladder related issues can occur because of your age, pregnancy, any sort of disability, medical issues, or any other health problem. If you feel that you are suffering from any bladder-related problem, then the very first thing is to get yourself diagnosed by an expert doctor. While the doctor would definitely suggest you with an adequate treatment option based on your condition, still there are other ways that you can adopt in order to overcome various bladder-related problems.

Bladder Training–This is a simple yet intense training that involves scheduling the frequency to urinate at regular intervals. The training might extend from a month to 3 months, which can help retain the bladder to hold urine for the much longer time. This is slow, but a safe and hassle-free treatment that gradually helps the patient to urinate less frequently.

Managing fluid intake–Patients suffering from bladder related troubles must manage their fluid intake and must drink enough that prevents constipation and over storing of urine. Such people must avoid drinking fluids containing caffeine, chocolates, and artificial juices and must even avoid drinking right before the bedtime that can lead to increase in night time urination.

Kegel exercises–These are special exercises that intend to strengthen the bladder muscles and urethra muscles. The main aim of these exercises is to enhance the bladder control and increase its strength so that it can hold urine for longer period. With regularly carrying the Kegel exercises it is possible to create drastic control over the pelvic muscles and hence reduce urinary frequency and urgency.

Using Catheter – This treatment is specific to those who experience the problem of overflow incontinence. While it is essential to take proper medications, but if the medication does not reap adequate results, then you need to carry a catheter, which is a very sleek tube that you can place in the urethra by yourself. The training for the same can be taken by your nurse or doctor. The process is simple, and you may use single use catheters that are compact enough to carry in the pocket and can be conveniently disposed.

Making Lifestyle Changes – If you are suffering from the problem of overactive bladder, then you can make some simple lifestyle changes in order to remain stress-free from the symptoms related to this bladder problem. Keeping the bathroom door close, having a bathroom attached to the bedroom, wearing loose clothes, managing fluid intake, and ensuring to go to the bathroom before sleeping are some of the simple changes that you may adopt.

Bladder-related problems occur when your bladder weakens. Besides consulting your doctor, you can adopt these ways in order to combat the problems related to losing bladder. If despite following these measures you are not able to avail satisfactory results, then you must seek expert advice from a specialist. 

How is Menopause Related with Overactive Bladder?

When a woman’s ovaries stop releasing eggs, and her menstruation ends, then this phase of her life is known as menopause. Most of the women experience menopause during later forties or early fifties. When a woman is expected to reach menopause or has already met with it, then it might experience a medical situation known as overactive bladder or OAB. Overactive bladder can be witnessed with following symptoms:

·         Increased frequency of urination

·         An instant urge to urinate

·         Frequent urination during the night time

·         Difficulty controlling urination

As per a study conducted by the Urology Care Foundation, women after menopause are at a great risk of experiencing this problem.

Relation between Menopause and Overactive Bladder

Pre-menopause or the phase just before the actual menopause women experience a fall in the level of estrogen, which is an important hormone essential for female sexual development. This hormone is released by the ovaries, and besides playing a crucial role in thedevelopment of reproductive and sexual systems, this hormone affects the well-being of other body organs, such as pelvic muscles, urinary tract, and more.

Once a woman reaches menopause her body stops producing estrogen, which further reduces the strength of the bladder and pelvic tissues. Low levels of estrogenresult in lost strength of the pelvic muscles and even cause intense pressure around the urethra muscle. There are various types of bladder related problems that a woman might experience due to menopause, and one of them is anoveractive bladder.During this ailment, a woman feels like urinating very often and wish to go to the bathroom even when there is no need. Sometimes the problem is so severe that a woman experiences aleak of urine during a cough, sneeze, or laugh.

Diagnosing Bladder Control Problem

In order to diagnose the problem, an experienced doctor would perform a proper physical exam of the body and even the pelvic muscles. You even have to undergo some laboratory tests to identify signs of urinary tract infection. Once the examination process is completed, you would be then asked to maintain a schedule of your urination frequency and timing. You even have to maintain a record of your diet in the diary or any overwhelming desires you could recall.

Treatment for Menopause Related Overactive Bladder

If you are diagnosed with this problem, then the very first thing you need to do is to change your diet and include drinking fluids like water, almond milk, soy milk, and avoid drinking coffee, tea, and juices. You even need to stop eating chocolates, tomatoes, spicy food, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. In addition to this, you need to perform Kegel exercise ideal to strengthen your pelvic muscle. If there is aneed, then you need to take estrogen supplements in order to strengthen urethra muscle and enhance blood flow. If anything else does not work, then you need to go through surgery.

The symptoms of overactive bladder are irritating and can make it difficult for you to enjoy your everyday activities. But the good thing is that a correct treatment can combat this problem with ease. So, if you are experiencing any such troubles, then it is essential that you consult an experienced doctor instantly. 

Are your hands totally germ free?

You can never be sure if your hands are carrying germs or not. Take the guesswork out of the equation and be germ-free by using a hand sanitizer.

The human hands are carriers of many germs, and they are inadvertently passed from one person to another. Keeping them germ-free at all times is not as tough as you think – simply use an antibacterial hand sanitizer that kills up to 99.9% germs on your hands.

When should you use hand sanitizer?

After eating. Whether you eat using your hands or using spoons and forks, you must get rid of germs you may have picked up. Germs can lurk on unclean spoons and plates, and they may also be ingested. After you have had your meal, err on the side of caution and clean your hands with antibacterial hand sanitizer. This is helpful for those at work and school.

After visiting the restroom. You would think people who visited the restroom would wash their hands with soap, but you would think wrong! Most people just rinse their hands with plain water. This is risky behaviour, especially at the workplace, where germs may spread rapidly from one person to another. But you can be responsible – use antibacterial hand sanitizer after visiting the restroom, especially if you are not certain that the soap provided by the office is an antibacterial one.

Before handling a baby. Babies are delicate and easily prone to infections. You cannot touch your baby with germs lurking on your hands. But keeping a baby unattended while you nip to the bathroom to wash your hands with soap is also not an option. Take the easier route out – keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the baby’s wardrobe or near the diaper changing station. That way, you can quickly clean your hands prior to changing your baby or picking them up. It is a good idea to use sanitizer afterward, too.

After cleaning a pet’s bowls and litter box. Your pets are precious, but they also trail a lot of infectious germs and mud all over the house. They pass germs on to you and your family members. Often, the pet’s feeding bowls and trays can get neglected – merely giving them a rinse with water will not clean them completely. Add disinfecting liquid to the detergent when washing their plates, bowls and trays, or use a kitchen disinfectant spray. Clean out the litter box diligently and spray it liberally with air disinfectant so as to kill all germs.

After reaching work. Your car harbours many germs that you are unaware of. The steering wheel, car phone, entertainment system buttons and the door handle are all hotbeds of germs. Once you park your car and reach your desk, just reach out for hand sanitizer and clean your hands before you touch other surfaces. 

Face flu season with confidence

Good personal hygiene and maintaining cleanliness in your work space can go a long way in preventing flu.

Flu season is awful! Apart from a temperature, you suffer from a runny nose, headaches and nausea. But if you think getting flu is inevitable, think again. Preventing flu may be easier than you think!

Consider the following tips that show how to prevent the flu:

* Get a flu vaccine. Ask your doctor about taking an annual flu vaccine, making special mention of any other medication you may be on. During flu season, doctors recommend a preventive dose of antiviral medication such as Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and/or Relenza (Zanamivir).

* Wash your hands frequently. The easiest route for the flu virus to reach you is through your hands. You are less likely to contract the virus by inhaling its germs directly through the air. In fact, the germs are more likely to implant on your hands after you touch surfaces contaminated by them. Once they are on the hands, they enter the system when you accidentally touch your eyes or nose. So if you want to know how to prevent the flu, start by washing your hands every hour with antibacterial soap.

* Keep a hand sanitiser in your bag. You may not always have access to soap and water, especially when you are out of doors or on a commute to work. No matter – let a hand sanitiser ‘wash’ your hands for you. Just take some sanitiser on your hands and rub them together till the liquid is completely absorbed. It kills the harmful germs lurking on the skin, and you can use it after you have inadvertently shaken somebody’s hand, or turned a door handle or even handled a common telephone receiver at work.

* Keep the house and work spaces clean. It is a myth that contaminated surfaces are only found in the workplace. They are found even in homes that are less than careful about hygiene, especially during flu season. Flu germs can easily be transmitted from hands to surfaces. They can affect you and your loved ones, especially if the person handling the food and cooking duties has them. The best way to ensure that the home is free of flu germs is to use an air disinfectant spray. Spray it on the surfaces of contamination and let it dry.

* Eat healthy, light food. Lowered immunity can invite flu germs into the system. It is up to you to build your family’s immunity during this trying time. Prepare hot, nutritious meals that are easy to digest. Include a lot of fruit and vegetables in the daily diet, preferably in raw or pureed form. It is also important to rest adequately and take light exercise to build resistance to disease.

Is your child’s school first-aid ready?

We list the basics you must check to ascertain if your child’s school has the tools to help children maintain good hygiene.

So your child is going back to school for a new term. It is a bittersweet feeling to watch your child grow up so quickly. But apart from your pride at watching them grow up, you are also worried about them catching various illness from other children. Young children are prone to sharing play time and love to be in close proximity to each other. This means that illness-causing germs and bacteria can spread very easily in a classroom environment.

Your child may be vaccinated for certain infections, so they may be better prepared to fight those. However, daily personal hygiene practices are most important when your child goes back to school. 

Check your child’s school for the following:

Soap dispensers. When your child goes back to school, visit the restroom with them and show them how to wash their hands using soap and water. This is very important for young children beginning school, or for those who are recovering from an illness. Explain how to soap and lather the hands and give them a thorough rinse, before drying their hands on a clean paper towel. If the school does not have liquid soap dispensers, suggest to the management that they provide the same.

A big box of tissues per class. Children can fall ill quite easily because they are in close proximity to each other in class. This means that if even one child has a cold or cough, there is high risk of the entire class falling ill by turns. You can help your child break this cycle of germ transmission by teaching them to sneeze or cough into tissues, and to throw their used tissues in the garbage bin. Do ask the teacher if there is a box of tissues provided per class. The school will be responsible enough to provide the same. If not, then you can pack tissues and a hand sanitiser in your child’s bag.

A garbage bin in the class and corridors. Children are often tempted to ball up their used tissues and throw them on the floor. Discourage this practice at home, and they will learn not to do it at school, either. Every classroom has a garbage bin, and your child must throw their used tissues in the bin.

A first aid kit with sufficient supplies. Every classroom must be equipped with a first aid kit. Children get cuts and grazes from falling or playing, or they may even develop fever at school. The kit must include bandages, gauze, disinfecting liquid, medicated tape, thermometer, spare tissues, cotton, scissors, sanitiser (for use by the person administering first aid), etc. If the classroom has a kit, check it to ascertain if the products are within their expiration date. If the classroom does not have a kit, you could prepare one for the class’s use. 

How to keep your kitchen spotlessly clean...

…and germ-free as well! This is a handy list for busy homemakers who want to ensure that their kitchens are 100% sanitised.

Try as you might, keeping your home, and particularly the kitchen, completely clean is really tough. You feel like you are on a constant war against water spots, dust, dirt and pests. You wipe down the kitchen every single day, you dust it often, and you don’t let a single cobweb settle. But still, you suspect that the kitchen is not as clean as it should be – and maybe it isn’t!

Why the kitchen should be germ free

The kitchen is the most important space in your house. It is where you cook for the family and serve food as well. You also do the dishes here. As such, the kitchen is a major wet area in the home, since you have a kitchen sink here, and there are frequent food and liquid spills as well.

But since the kitchen is warm and often humid, it attracts pests, mould and fungal growths. Germs and bacteria are instantly attracted to raw food, as also the splashes of purees, juices and other substances. They lurk on the cooking and serving surfaces, waiting to contaminate food and make you and your loved ones really sick.

Maintaining kitchen hygiene is a daily task – but it need not be a difficult one. Here’s how you can keep your kitchen clean and germ-free:

1 Wash your hands often: Your hands can touch contaminated surfaces, and then touch raw food and plates. Thus, they spread germs from one spot to another. Make it a point to wash your hands every couple of hours with antibacterial soap. Always wash your hands before and after preparing food, after doing the dishes, after visiting the restroom, and after cleaning the kitchen.

2 Mop up food spills immediately. You can be forgiven for spilling a little food in the kitchen, but be sure to clean it up at once. After wiping it, spritz some antibacterial spray on the spot so that germs are removed completely. Keep an antibacterial kitchen wipe handy for such spills.

3 Use disinfectant on the floors. This is most important for kitchen hygiene: the floors must be clean enough to sparkle. This means that not only must the floor be swept and mopped every day, they must also be treated with disinfectant cleaners mixed in clean water. The floor can get really dirty, and all bacterial growth must be removed with the best disinfectants.

4 Scrub the sink. The sink harbours a lot of grime and germs. Pour undiluted disinfectant down the drain and scrub the sink bowl with kitchen gel. Use an antibacterial wipe on the taps and sink sides.