The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Arexvy (respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, adjuvanted) for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals 60 years of age and older.

Every colour has the potential to change how we feel in an instant because it delivers an emotional experience. 

“Colour is the simplest tool we have at our disposal to enhance positive emotions and increase well-being.”

The ancient Egyptians loved gold, red, turquoise and blue and associated these shades with royalty.

The Romans and, later the Byzantine empire, privileged Tyrian purple.

  “Colours that are low in saturation are more emotionally soothing and lead to a calmer or less intense emotional state.  The more saturated or intense a colour, the more stimulating it can be for your emotions.”

Find your tone 

Confidence boost 

Wear darker blues to appear authoritative and knowledgeable, yet still approachable, trustworthy and reliable. 

Harmonious 

Darker greens reflect balance and harmony, providing a sense of reassurance and peace.

Quick thinking 

Turquoise is a stimulating colour that wakes up your mind.

Add cheer 

Yellow is like a cheery hello. On the greyest of days, it’s like taking the sunshine with you.

Playful spirit 

A joyful hue, orange is great for lightening the mood.

Power play 

There’s nothing shy or retiring about red. It commands attention and will always get you noticed.

Weighty white

Researchers from Oxford University found people eat less from a red plate (red is, after all, a colour our primal nature may connect with danger). Conversely, eating from a big white plate might wake up your appetite – in some studies, food was perceived as more flavoursome (often sweeter) when served on a white dish.

Sleepy hues

“The best palettes for a good night’s sleep are those that are soothing, which means colours that are low saturation.”

“Think light pink, which is physically soothing, or light blue, which is mentally soothing. Soft peaches and apricots, pale greens and soft purples are also good.” Avoid highly stimulating hues, such as bright red.

Blonde ambition 

Studies (mostly led by hair-colour brands) have consistently found that women who dye their hair blonde feel more confident and sexy. Scientists have theorised that lighter hair may often be associated with youth and good health.

Texture can influence mood too. Sometimes we want the hard sparkle of metals, jewels and reflective surfaces for confidence; other times, soft fabrics such as silk, plush cotton and velvet can offer comfort.

1. Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase blood pressure. Losing weight can help lower blood pressure.

2. Get regular exercise: Regular physical activity can help lower blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

3. Eat a healthy diet: A diet that’s low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol can help lower blood pressure. Consider eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

4. Limit alcohol: Drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men.

5. Quit smoking: Tobacco use can increase blood pressure. Quitting smoking can help lower blood pressure and improve overall health.

6. Manage stress: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, deep breathing, or meditation.

7. Take medication: If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower blood pressure, your healthcare provider may recommend medication to help lower it.

Remember that high blood pressure can be a serious health condition. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, speak with your healthcare provider. They can offer guidance on how to lower your blood pressure and manage your overall health.

1. Eat a healthy diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help lower cholesterol levels. Avoid foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.

2. Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

3. Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase cholesterol levels. Losing weight can help improve cholesterol levels as well as overall health.

4. Quit smoking: Smoking can lower HDL cholesterol levels and increase inflammation, which can contribute to higher cholesterol levels.

5. Limit alcohol intake: Drinking alcohol can increase HDL cholesterol levels, but it can also contribute to higher triglyceride levels, which can raise total cholesterol levels.

6. Take medication: If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your cholesterol, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help manage cholesterol levels.

Remember that high cholesterol can be a serious health condition. It’s important to work with your healthcare provider to manage your cholesterol levels and overall health.

Rates of overweight and obesity have almost TRIPLED since the 1960s.

Overweight/obesity is known to increase the risk of at least 13 different types of cancer:

post-menopausal breast cancer,

colorectal cancer,

kidney (renal cell) cancer,

endometrial cancer,

thyroid cancer,

pancreatic cancer,

multiple myeloma,

liver cancer,

ovarian cancer,

adenocarcinoma of the esophagus,

gastric cardia (upper stomach) cancer,

gallbladder cancer, and

meningioma. 

The link between overweight/obesity and cancer risk is complex and varies with the specific type of cancer, but is thought to involve increased insulin and hormone levels and chronic inflammation. While some overweight/obesity-related cancers, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and kidney cancer are common, others are relatively rare.

The extent to which being overweight or obese increases the risk of cancer also varies with cancer site.

Spinal cord stimulation restores movement in the arms of stroke patients with locomotion problems, researchers report. 

The treatment has the potential to improve the quality of life for those who suffer arm paralysis following a stroke.

Spinal cord stimulation restores movement in the arms of stroke patients with locomotion problems, researchers report. The treatment has the potential to improve the quality of life for those who suffer arm paralysis following a stroke.

The is a concern currently which originates from the highly transmissible Omicron subvariants — XBB, BQ.1, and BF.7.

The year started with a peak observed in January 2022. However, post that, there was a 90 per cent decline in the number of reported weekly deaths, as per World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The tides seem to be reversing now with rising apprehensions over the current situation among healthcare providers and the community at large.

A closer look at the current Omicron variants of concern

The coronavirus mutates as it survives in nature. In this process, it creates its lineages and sub-lineages as its branches. Currently, it is the XBB, BQ.1, and the latest BF.7 that are gaining the spotlight.

XBB: Reported with a global prevalence of 1.3 per cent, with infection detected in about 35 countries, XBB is a recombinant of BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 Omicron sub-lineages. 

There is only early evidence of its severity and infection risk levels to guide specific activity from healthcare providers or investors. 

However, current data suggests that it is not particularly severe, as the healthcare ecosystem has witnessed with Omicron already. 

It is mainly impacting those individuals who were infected in the pre-Omicron period.

BQ.1: This variant is reported to have a global prevalence of 6 percent, with infections detected in about sixty-five countries. It is one of the faster-growing variants and requires close monitoring, However, even for BQ.1, there’s no increased severity in the disease noted so far.

BF.7: This is the newer sub-lineage of the Omicron sub-lineage BA.5. Rising cases of its infection are noted in Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Brazil, and the United States of America. Currently, it is causing more infections among the elderly with low immunity or prevailing health conditions and children for whom healthcare providers need to be more alert.

For all these subvariants, the transmission mode, signs, and symptoms overlap with the previous Covid variants. Common manifestations of the infection continue to include fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, fatigue, and headache.

Does the community need to worry?

As per the WHO, there may be reduced protection offered by vaccines. So, in terms of risks of the disease spreading, it does require being on guard by the masses.

However, there is respite in knowing that no epidemiologic data currently suggests an increase in disease severity. Moreover, the treatment for these subvariants resembles the already-followed treatment for Omicron.

The next steps remain unaltered

At this time, the next step advised by healthcare providers is simply following the safety precautions with sincerity. This includes ensuring the administration of timely vaccinations and booster doses. Healthcare providers are advising this, especially for those travelling.

Whenever in a crowd – indoors and outdoors, all individuals are requested to ensure the use of masks and practice strict social distancing. In addition, in case of any flu-like symptoms or illness, it’s best to isolate and get tested to contain its spread.

INGREDIENTS

½ tsp whole dried fennel seeds

½ tsp whole dried coriander seeds

¼-½ tsp whole dried cumin seeds (to taste- using the smaller amount provides less of the cumin flavor that many people have trouble with)

3 cups water

INSTRUCTIONS

Optional prep step: For the best flavor, Roast the seeds on a baking sheet at 350 for about 5-8 minutes until fragrant and golden. This is optional but it improves the flavor.

Grind the seeds- place the fennel, coriander and cumin seeds in a coffee grinder or use a mortar and pestle to create a fine powder.

Place this powder and the water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes until fragrant and remove from heat. Add cinnamon or ginger if using and stir. Let cool to warm before adding raw honey (if using).

Strain through a fine mesh metal strainer and drink immediately or pour over ice for a cool drink. Can also be made in big batches, cooled and kept in the refrigerator until ready to consume.

Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more of your habits or routines, particularly lack of exercise. It’s also commonly related to depression. On occasion, fatigue is a symptom of other underlying conditions that require medical treatment.

Lifestyle factors

Taking an honest inventory of things that might be responsible for your fatigue is often the first step toward relief. Fatigue may be related to:

• Alcohol or drug use
• Excess physical activity
• Jet lag disorder
• Lack of physical activity
• Medications, such as antihistamines, cough medicines
• Not enough sleep
• Unhealthy eating habits

Conditions

Unrelenting exhaustion may be a sign of a condition or an effect of the drugs or therapies used to treat it, such as:

• Acute liver failure
• Anemia
• Anxiety disorders
• Cancer
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Chronic infection or inflammation
• Chronic kidney disease
• Concussion
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) worsening of symptoms
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Depression (major depressive disorder) or other mood disorders
• Diabetes
• Emphysema
• Fibromyalgia
• Grief
• Heart disease
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Medications and treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, pain drugs, heart drugs and antidepressants
• Multiple sclerosis
• Obesity
• Pain that’s persistent
• Sleep apnea
• Stress
• Traumatic brain injury

Children’s hospitals are seeing a surge in a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies

RSV cases fell dramatically two years ago as the pandemic shut down schools, day cares and businesses. With restrictions easing in the summer of 2021, doctors saw an alarming increase in what is normally a fall and winter virus.

A look at RSV and what the recent surge may mean:

What is RSV?
It stands for respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of mild cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, cough and fever. Nearly all U.S. children normally catch an RSV infection by age 2.

People infected are usually contagious for three to eight days. Babies and people with weakened immune systems can spread RSV for up to four weeks. There is no vaccine for it, though several candidates are in testing.

Who does it affect?
Everyone can get RSV. But it causes the most threat to infants, older adults and other vulnerable people, who can get serious airway and lung infections.

Why is there an increase now?
The virus is encountering a highly vulnerable population of babies and children who were sheltered from common bugs during the pandemic lockdowns.

For babies, their mothers may not have been infected with RSV during pregnancy, which could have given the children some immunity.

Is there a treatment?
There’s no specific treatment, so it’s a matter of managing symptoms and letting the virus run its course. Doctors may prescribe oral steroids or an inhaler to make breathing easier.

In serious cases, patients in the hospital may get oxygen, a breathing tube or a ventilator.

What do doctors recommend?
Prevent the spread of viruses by washing hands thoroughly and staying home when you’re sick.

During RSV season, an injection of an antibody-based medicine is sometimes prescribed to protect premature infants and other very vulnerable babies.